Duarte’s death, Magashule’s suspension and Zuma’s corruption case a testing time for the ANC — internal report
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The ANC’s organisational report presented by incumbent party deputy president David Mabuza, at a closed session at the ANC’s 55th national conference on Saturday, has revealed the extent to which the challenges confronting the Secretary-General’s Office have placed it under significant strain in supporting the top five officials and the entire organisation
Among other key functions, the office, which is seen as an engine of the party, is responsible for overseeing and directing the functioning of structures and the implementation of the party’s programmes, processes and resolutions.
The challenges in the Secretary-General’s Office (SGO) were brought about by the suspension of Secretary-General Ace Magashule — on suspension for more than a year in line with the party’s step-aside rule.
Magashule faces corruption and maladministration charges related to his terms as Free State premier. Despite being barred from contesting for a leadership position, Magashule addressed a handful of his supporters on the periphery of the conference.
He was quoted as saying that various branches had nominated him, and his fate lay with delegates at the conference and not any other structure:
“I am the ANC, I was born in the ANC and no one will expel me from the ANC.”
Jessie Duarte death
Another challenge the report refers to is the death of deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte in 2022. This saw the national executive committee (NEC) deploy one of its members, Gwen Ramakgopa, as coordinator in the SGO to strengthen the party’s capacity.
“An unprecedented situation was faced in the functioning of the SGO office, for probably the first time in the history of our movement. It has been a testing period in the affairs of the organisation, comrades, no doubt,” says the report.
The 101-page report, which Daily Maverick is in possession of, also reveals how former president Jacob Zuma’s ongoing corruption case in KZN continues to, “reverberate in the corridors of the ANC”.
“This is a painful matter for the ANC to see an elderly former leader who is in retirement, having to contend with criminal charges,” it says.
“Despite these challenges, and mindful of the mandate given by the 54th National Conference, the officials strove at all times to conduct themselves in a manner that promoted the unity and renewal of the organisation, engaging each other constructively whenever differences arose, and seeking to maintain the unity and integrity of the NEC, NWC and the organisation as a whole.”
‘Unprecedented challenges’
On the assessment of the NEC, the highest decision-making body between ...
Among other key functions, the office, which is seen as an engine of the party, is responsible for overseeing and directing the functioning of structures and the implementation of the party’s programmes, processes and resolutions.
The challenges in the Secretary-General’s Office (SGO) were brought about by the suspension of Secretary-General Ace Magashule — on suspension for more than a year in line with the party’s step-aside rule.
Magashule faces corruption and maladministration charges related to his terms as Free State premier. Despite being barred from contesting for a leadership position, Magashule addressed a handful of his supporters on the periphery of the conference.
He was quoted as saying that various branches had nominated him, and his fate lay with delegates at the conference and not any other structure:
“I am the ANC, I was born in the ANC and no one will expel me from the ANC.”
Jessie Duarte death
Another challenge the report refers to is the death of deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte in 2022. This saw the national executive committee (NEC) deploy one of its members, Gwen Ramakgopa, as coordinator in the SGO to strengthen the party’s capacity.
“An unprecedented situation was faced in the functioning of the SGO office, for probably the first time in the history of our movement. It has been a testing period in the affairs of the organisation, comrades, no doubt,” says the report.
The 101-page report, which Daily Maverick is in possession of, also reveals how former president Jacob Zuma’s ongoing corruption case in KZN continues to, “reverberate in the corridors of the ANC”.
“This is a painful matter for the ANC to see an elderly former leader who is in retirement, having to contend with criminal charges,” it says.
“Despite these challenges, and mindful of the mandate given by the 54th National Conference, the officials strove at all times to conduct themselves in a manner that promoted the unity and renewal of the organisation, engaging each other constructively whenever differences arose, and seeking to maintain the unity and integrity of the NEC, NWC and the organisation as a whole.”
‘Unprecedented challenges’
On the assessment of the NEC, the highest decision-making body between ...