Nzimande says the move will help foster unity, weed out factionalism, and strengthen the governing party.

The ANC's National Working Committee has decided to suspend those who are charged with serious crimes, and refuse to step aside. The NWC says it will write to all affected members who failed to step aside as directed by the NEC.

Meanwhile, the ANC's deputy chairperson in KZN, Mike Mabuyakhulu, has announced that he is stepping aside. 

Mabuyakhulu was charged with corruption relating to the R28 million that the provincial government spent on the North Sea Jazz Festival in 2012.

This comes as the governing party's National Working Committee has made the decision to suspend members who refuse to step aside voluntarily.

ANC secretary-general, Ace Magashule, and several other party members are facing serious criminal charges, so they'll probably be the first to receive letters.

Political analyst Ongama Mtimka warns that Magashule could still find a loophole to the party's step-aside rule.

eNCA