Embattled African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule has written to the party's provincial secretaries to ask them to compile lists of ANC members who are not only criminally charged, but allegedly "implicated in corrupt practices".

Provincial leaders have until the close of business on Thursday to submit their lists to Magashule's office, according to a letter which News24 has seen. This comes as the deadline looms for those who are criminally charged to step aside.

In the letter, the secretary-general's office said:

Provinces are requested to submit, by Thursday, 15 April 2021 at 17:00, the names of those members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes and those who are aligned, reported or implicated in corrupt practices. Provinces must provide details of whether affected comrades have been informed personally, in writing.

It appears that the letter broadens the scope of those who are affected by the ANC's step-aside decision from those who have been criminally charged to all ANC leaders tainted by corruption.

"The NEC (national executive committee) meeting on 26-28 March 2021, reaffirmed the resolutions of the 54th national conference, fighting crime and corruption and on credibility and integrity, as well as decisions of NEC meetings on 28-30 August and 6-9 December 2020 on the implementation of these resolutions," the letter read.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the NEC had given those who are charged with corruption 30 days to step aside from their positions or face suspension.

The decision applies to Magashule himself. He is out on R200 000 bail and is facing fraud and corruption charges.

At the time, Ramaphosa said: "Provincial chairpersons and secretaries would meet with the national officials during that time to further refine the guidelines to ensure the resolution can be effectively and practically implemented."

But whether the guidelines the NEC adopted were refined by the provinces remains to be seen.

It is also unclear whether party leaders, including Magashule, will comply by stepping aside from their positions by the end of the month.