While South Africans gather to celebrate their COVID-diminished Christmases, a desperate struggle is being waged for the heart and soul of the ANC. The struggle arises from the split that has divided the organisation since the election of its present leadership at the 2017 National Conference at NASREC.
The new leadership was divided from the start between Ramaphosa’s supporters and those of former President Zuma – led by the powerful Secretary-General, Ace Magashule. The main cause of contention was Ramaphosa’s determination to root out corruption – a cause that enjoyed widespread support among the ANC rank and file, but caused deep concern among influential elements within the ANC’s structures – many of whom were deeply tainted by corruption.
After his election as national President in 2018, Ramaphosa showed that he was serious about combating corruption by strengthening and supporting key institutions – including the National Prosecuting Authority and the Zondo Commission – that were investigating corrupt practices and state capture. These steps finally bore fruit on 10 November, when the NPA issued an arrest warrant for Magashule on 21 charges of fraud and corruption – associated with the so-called Free State asbestos affair which involved irregular contracts to the value of R255 million.
On 13 November Magashule appeared in court in Bloemfontein and was granted bail of R200 000. Outside the court he told his angry supporters – some of whom were seen destroying ANC tee shirts with Cyril Ramaphosa’s image - that ANC had been infiltrated: “There are those that have been co-opted because even during apartheid they were working with the apartheid agents. In any revolution, there is counter-revolution.”
He threatened to expose the corruption of his accusers: “I can go to every individual and point out what they have done.” He insisted that he would not “step aside” unless he was asked to do so by the ANC branches that had elected him.
Magashule’s arrest predictably caused a furore within the ANC leadership and was the main topic of an National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting early in December. His supporters produced no fewer than five legal opinion’s asserting that he would not have to ‘step aside’ - despite the clear provisions of the NEC’s August decision. Crucially, the NEC did not follow its own rules and failed to suspend Magashule. Instead, it welcomed “the Secretary General’s decision to present himself to the (the ANC’s) Integrity Commission on 12 December…” The NEC confirmed “the firm stance we have taken on corruption”.