A House Divided - South African Ruling Party Facing Major Split?

The African National Congress's (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) has announced that Secretary-General Ace Magashule will "present himself" to the party's Integrity Commission, a move that may be the start of a major shift in the ANC, writes Stephen Grootes for the Daily Maverick. According to Daily Maverick's Ferial Hafajee, a motion to determine whether Magashule will step down will be tabled with a decision likely to be postponed to the January NEC meeting. Magashule faces charges of corruption in connection with one of the more contentious contracts the Free State provincial government awarded during his time as premier. The Committee has been in session since December 6, 2020, and their announcement comes ahead of a court appearance by former South African president Jacob Zuma who faces 83 counts of fraud, racketeering and money-laundering. The albatross of Zuma's legal hurdles have divided the party with President Cyril Ramaphosa dealing with a "fight-back" campaign by the pro-Zuma lobby since his assumption of the ANC's leadership in 2017.

InFocus

Left: President Cyril Ramaphosa. Top-right: Ace Magashule. Bottom-right: Former president Jacob Zuma.

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.