ANC Provincial Secretary, Paseka Nompomdo, in a statement says the PEC is supporting Magashule in what he terms as “difficult times” based on the presumption of him being innocent until proven otherwise. 

This comes as Magashule’s fraud and corruption trial, stemming from the failed R255 million asbestos project in the province, continues and is now scheduled for the High Court in Bloemfontein in August. Nompondo further urged the National Executive Committee (NEC) to assist in uniting the party through its actions and to also ensure that the ANC speaks with one voice. 

This, as reports earlier suggested that the NEC was deeply divided on the step aside recommendation a few years ago during the 54th National Elective Conference in Nasrec.

This is not the first time the PEC has come out in support of Magashule, citing unfair treatment of the latter, who has widely been accused of looting millions of rands in the province through various projects.

These include the controversial Estina Dairy Farm project and asbestos removal project. Nompondo says the PEC is committed to realise unity in action within the organisation.

"The unity of the ANC is important towards the unity of society in general. As part of forging unity in the province, the PEC has established task team-leading unity talks in the province. All branch members of the ANC are directed towards ensuring that there is unity of action in the organisation. We are confident that the approach by the PEC will result in a more united and stable organisation in the province," Nompondo adds.

He says the PEC welcomes the decision by the NEC to refer guidelines on the step-aside to branches for further engagement. This, as Magashule had previously stated that he will never step down for his party position, adding only branches had the power to ask him to step aside.

"The guidelines are supported with the view that they must not be used to target individual comrades and must not tamper with individual rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic, including the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The PEC, however, affirms the decision to strengthen the integrity of the ANC and its role in the society as outlined in the 54th National Conference resolutions," Nompondo further adds.

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