Another Blow for Magashule

By: Lindelani Mbatha

The Gauteng High Court has dismissed with cost the suspended ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s leave to appeal a court judgment upholding his suspension from the ruling party.

Magashule had approached the Court in Johannesburg to appeal a judgment by the same court in July that had dismissed his application to have his suspension from the ANC deemed unconstitutional and invalid.

Last month, Counsel for Magashule, Advocate Dali Mpofu accused the three High Court judges who heard the case of being biased and making deliberately dishonest decisions in favour of the respondents in the case.

The respondents includes President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte.

Magashule was suspended by the governing party in May in a letter signed by Duarte, in which the party said he would be temporarily suspended until the outcome of his legal proceedings.

The step aside resolution of the ANC, dictates that those facing criminal charges should step aside or be suspended with immediate effect.

The former Free State premier is facing 74 charges of fraud, theft, corruption, money laundering and asbestos contraventions.

In his court application Magashule argues that the court erred in its findings and he has maintained his suspension was not consistent with both the ANC and the country’s constitutions.