ATM national spokesperson, Mandisa Mashiya, tells OFM News that neither Magashule nor former President, Jacob Zuma, had a hand in the formation of the ATM.

She says if the ANC wants to investigate Magashule for the alleged action, they are more than welcome to do so but she reiterated that the two were never involved with the party in any way. OFM News previously reported that former North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, and Zuma were also linked to the formation of the Mazibuye African Congress (MAC). This claim was, however, vehemently ridiculed by the party as fabrication and fake news.

Mashiya says the party is not interested in the details of the story and they are not even willing to entertain the claims. The ANC could not be reached for comment.

News24 claims that three sources who have direct knowledge of events have confirmed to them that former president Kgalema Motlanthe will lead the investigation. The report further claims that Magashule is suspected of having played a key role in the formation of ATM, of which Mzwanele Manyi is the most prominent member. Evidence detailing Magashule's involvement was apparently handed to the ANC's leadership by disgruntled members within the ATM ahead of the May 8 election in an attempt to have the party removed from the ballot.

During the sixth democratic elections on 8 May 2019, the party was amongst a group of 27 disgruntled parties that sought to challenge the Independent Electoral Commission results following few reports of alleged irregularities at various voting stations across the province. In a twist of events, the ATM backed out of the court action.

The ATM head of policy, Manyi, held a media briefing just hours before the IEC was scheduled to announce the official close of the election period saying the party was endorsing the elections. Manyi's party, which was launched in October last year, received three seats. The 26 other parties at the time were demanding a recount of the elections after 24 people were arrested for double voting.

OFM News