This follows his arrest on Friday by the Hawks in connection to the failed R255 million Free State asbestos roof project.

Addressing ANC members outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court after his bail hearing, he said he will not step down from his position in the party and that no-one can remove him.

"The ANC has been infiltrated (because) there are those who have been co-opted; because even during Apartheid they were working with Apartheid agents. In any revolution there is a counter revolution," he added.

Earlier in the week, ANC deputy SG Jessie Duarte and Treasurer-General (TG), Paul Mashatile, announced that Magashule will be keeping his job.

This is, however, in contrast to the resolutions taken at the 54th Nasrec conference in 2017, where it was agreed that those members linked with wrong-doing must step aside from party positions.

A few months ago ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said those who were accused of wrong-doing must immediately step aside from all official positions pending the finalisation of their cases.

Magashule will now join seven other suspects in the asbestos saga, which returns to court on 19 February 2021.

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