South Africa’s ruling political party, African National Congress simply ANC, officially appoints Jessie Duarte as its new secretary-general.
The president of the nation, Cyril Ramaphosa made it public on Monday following the suspension of Elias Magashule AKA Ace Magashule, now the former secretary-general, as a result of corruption charges. Jessie Duarte served alongside the former secretary-general as his deputy.
Ramaphosa is indeed making a statement with his anti-corruption policy. The sixty-one-year-old Ace Magashule is the first senior party official to be suspended. The president has sworn to put an end to corruption.
After the allegations of misappropriation of funds by Magashule in late March, he was offered a 30-day ultimatum to resign but he refused and therefore it led to his suspension.
ANC NEW SECRETARY
Jessie Duarte who has been deputy secretary-general for over 8 years is set to work in accordance with the party’s rules and regulations designed for the office of the secretary-general. She has been a dedicated member of ACN and a patriotic citizen. As the former deputy, she discouraged the abuse of the party’s logo by private businesses and individuals producing face masks while taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation for their selfish interest.
However, Magashule has appeared to be a difficult member to work with. Despite being suspended, he attempted to still attend the ANC online meeting but it was only a futile effort.
He also responded saying that he cannot be suspended or rather he is not going anywhere. Ace Magashule as he is popularly known has written to Ramaphosa requesting him to resign from presidency, claiming to still possess the power bestowed on him as the secretary-general of the party.
The response was “totally unacceptable and a flagrant of violation” of ANC’s rules and regulations which as a result requires him to apologise publicly or prepare for further disciplinary actions. Magashule will be tried in court by August along with 15 other co-accused members.
ANC is not just a political party; it has the historical blueprints of Nelson Mandela. But the image has been dented by corruption for years now. The party is fighting to restore its dignity and to gain the full support of the people again.
By Elijah Christopher
Elijah Christopher is a journalist at A New Touch Of Africa, is also a creative writer, a poet, and an IT enthusiast. He contributed to the collaborative poem written in celebration of Edwin Morgan Centenary, the first Glasgow poet laureate and Scottish national poet from the University of Glasgow. He loves meeting people and learning about new places, cultures, events, and lifestyles.
