Malema: ‘Axing Magashule is a big mistake, but it works for the EFF’
EFF leader Julius Malema has said the decision by the ANC NEC to remove secretary general Ace Magashule from his post, could collapse the party
Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema does not agree with the African National Congress NEC’s decision to give secretary general Ace Magashule the boot.
Malema held a media briefing on Tuesday, 30 March 2021, following the EFF’s central command team meeting and plenum. The fiery leader reckons whoever is advising ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has done him an injustice.
“Cyril is making a big mistake. He is badly advised. You cannot just sit in a bathroom and remove a secretary-general. I don’t think they know what that position includes. From the comfort of your own home, just with a smell of Rajah (spice), you remove an SG… I don’t think he knows what he’s talking about,” Malema said.
“But maybe he saw that they are disorganised, the Magashules themselves. That position is not a position you just wake up and attack. That is the belly of the party, so you are attacking the party from the belly, you are collapsing it”.
EFF leader Julius Malema
Malema has labelled removing Magashule as a “horrible decision” by the ruling party but added that such a move was good for the EFF.
There have been reports of tensions having reached boiling point within the ANC, particularly between the two rivaling factions of the governing party.
Malema: The ANC knew Ace was corrupt when they elected him
The ANC NEC has given Ace Magashule and other members facing criminal charges 30 days to step aside from their positions or face suspension from the party.
“All members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes must step aside within 30 days, failing which they should be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC Constitution. The meeting emphasised that the 30 day period will be to enable the implementation of the decision in line with the guidelines, not to review the decision,” Ramaphosa said on Monday evening.
Malema further highlighted that the ANC knew the extent of Magashule’s alleged dodgy ways when they voted for him to join Luthuli House in the first place.
“The ANC structures elected Magashule with all these scandals hanging over his head. They knew about all these things. That he’s being charged is just being technical. They elected (him) knowing the scandals. They love him like that. They love them corrupt, anyway,” Malema said.