This as pressure mounts on Magashule to step aside following fraud and corruption charges over the failed R255 million asbestos project.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, the Cosas national convenor Thabo Mangwejane said the attack on ANC leaders started way back with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela being persecuted, then former President Jacob Zuma and now Magashule.

He says they won’t allow the attack on these leaders because as learners they are prepared to defend the revolution. A group of ANC members calling themselves the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) forces ascended Naval Hill in Bloemfontein on Wednesday and claimed that the charges against former Mangaung Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, and Magashule are politically motivated.

The group also pledged their support for Mlamleli who is also facing charges over the asbestos case in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court.

The group rubbished the recently adopted National Executive Committee's (NEC) step-aside policy claiming that it goes against the country's constitution. The controversial policy created tension within the ANC. Previously, whilst addressing hundreds of supporters who came from across the country to support him during his first court appearance, Magashule said he will never step aside unless the provincial ANC branches instructed him to do so. This after the ANC’s national integrity committee called on him to step aside following his arrest.

Malefu Mofokeng, who spoke on behalf of the group at Naval Hill, told the media that the group is not ashamed to voice their support for Magashule.

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