Independent Media reports that the ANC has formally decided to oppose the court bid by the party’s suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule to have his suspension by the party overturned.

For that purpose, the party has assembled a formidable legal team which includes an attorney, three senior counsels, including top advocates Wim Trengrove and Fana Nalane, and one junior counsel. Magashule has approached the court to challenge not only his suspension but also the ANC’s ‘step-aside’ resolution. According to court papers, the matter will be heard on 1 June. In his application, Magashule wants the court to rule that: “The ANC step aside rule 25.70 of the ANC constitution (is) unlawful, unconstitutional, invalid and null. The suspension letter issued by ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte suspending him to be null/void, the suspension by Magashule to be valid and effective until lawfully nullified and the instruction announced by Ramaphosa and the ANC for Magashule to apologize for issuing the suspension letter to Ramaphosa to be unlawful.” Magashule, a leading political rival of President Cyril Ramaphosa, was temporarily relieved of his duties in charge of the day-to-day running of the ANC early this month in line with tougher rules for members charged with corruption. He faces corruption charges over a contract to audit homes with asbestos roofs when he was premier of Free State province, but has called the charges flimsy. Magashule was granted bail in November.

• Based on reports by Zintle Mahlati at Independent Media and by Alexander Winning at Moneyweb

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