At a press briefing in East London, earlier today, Magashule said he and Paul Mashatile – who was elected as ANC treasurer general in December – had to vacate their positions as chairs in their respective provinces. Both secretary general and treasurer general positions are full-time in the ANC. 

In his statement on the party's state of readiness for the 106th birthday celebrations, Magashule said they both intended vacating these positions to allow for new elections.

Magashule, however, denied that this would cause further instability in the Free State.

The Free State provincial executive committee was declared unlawful after party members challenged its election in the Bloemfontein High Court in December. The ruling was made a day before the party was scheduled to elect its new national executive committee (NEC).

Magashule and the Free State provincial executive committee (PEC) are appealing the ruling.

News24