A group of ANC activists, known as the Strategic Dialogue Group (SDG), on Friday gave its support to the recent decision taken by the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend party members facing charges of corruption, including secretary-general Ace Magashule.

In an exclusive interview with Polity, SDG member Dr Billy Ramokgopa said Magashule failed dismally to lead by example and in the process severely dented the image of the ANC and South Africa.     

Magashule was informed of his suspension by ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte on Monday.         

Magashule has revealed that he will appeal his suspension and he has also sought to suspend ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, which the SDG said was an “ill-judged and futile attempt”.

The SDG said in a statement on Friday those who appreciate the values and policies of the ANC could not object to the resolution.

“It is intended to promote good hygiene in the conduct of public affairs, safeguard the sanctity of public institutions and the imperative for accountability to the people of South Africa,” the SDG said.

Ramakgopa told Polity that it is public knowledge that Magashule is heavily implicated in corruption and looting during his ten-year tenure as the Premier of the Free State province.

“His corrupt dealings with the fugitives from justice, as represented by the Gupta family, is an ugly chapter in the history of South Africa. The current R250-million asbestos corruption case before the Mangaung Court has clearly placed him and his equally corrupt cronies right at the centre of a serious crime scene for him to be associated with a noble organisation such as the ANC,” Ramakgopa stated.

He said the ANC has values and principles that have accorded it respect and support, as well as the trust and confidence of the majority of South Africans, backed up by its ability to retain power since 1994.

Ramakgopa said for the ANC to retain its status as a revered leader of society, Magashule had to leave as he was an “undesirable element”.

“No self-respecting organisation can tolerate such a political delinquent and misfit. Similarly, all those bad elements, who are adversely implicated with the collapse of the Limpopo government, the looting of the VBS Bank, at the Zondo State Capture Commission, PIC and SARS Nugent Commissions must follow suit and take a hike,” he stressed.

The SDG urged ANC members to support party leadership and to turn down “counter-revolutionaries”.

“… it is high time that all leaders of the ANC, starting with the National Executive Committee, realised that factional battles exert a heavy toll on the Brand South Africa and the country’s ability to attract the necessary volumes of investment for development in the domestic and international markets,” the SDG said.