By Thys Khiba
Bloemfontein – The African National Congress Secretary-General, Ace Magashule has concluded his second consultation meeting with the former president Jacob Zuma as a ‘wonderful meeting’ on Thursday.
“I am happy, it was a wonderful visit. As I’ve said, I’m consulting with veterans of our movement, former leaders of the ANC at the top level from (former) treasurer-general Matthews Phosa, I’ve already consulted with him. I have talked with (former) president Zuma,” said Magashule.
ANC SG Magashule says that he would continue to seek guidance on the party’s step-aside resolution, from senior ANC leaders like Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma and former ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa.
“I’ve talked to comrade Kgalema Motlanthe to prepare for the meeting, and the last person I will be seeing is (former) president Mbeki. I have done a lot of consultation, be it with churches, everybody, and I do have some guidance – not counselling, guidance. I will brief you once I’ve consulted everybody,” said Magashule.
This is after the ANC SG Magashule becomes one of the party members that are expected to step aside from positions while any legal proceedings are unfolding. Magashule has given provincial secretaries a Thursday deadline for submission of names of members tainted by corruption charges.
Meanwhile, as Magashule was engaging in discussions with Zuma, at least 300 ANC members ‘from the Free State’ province were gathering at the ANC headquarters Luthuli House in Johannesburg, to indicate that the ‘step aside rule’ must not be selective.
According to the ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe the submitted list by the provincial secretaries is expected to be discussed at the next NEC meeting. “That is the work the office of the Secretary-General is dealing with.”
Mabe indicated that the divided ANC is committed to the unity of their organisation. “…and we are going to do everything possible to make sure that we keep the organisation intact for generations to come.”
