Magashule slams gatekeepers of the compromises of the sunset clause

ANC secretary general Ace Magashule on Thursday slammed gatekeepers of the compromises of the sunset clause in a prepared speech for the memorial service of ANC stalwart Lesiba Maphoto in Polokwane.

In the prepared speech, Magashule condemned "gatekeepers" whom he said censured him from questioning the structure of the South African economy when he made remarks about the ownership and mandate of the SARB. He also said he saw no reason why the governing party's supposed plans to nationalise the Reserve Bank and expand its mandate should be vehemently opposed.

In June, Magashule briefed reporters in Johannesburg on an ANC National Executive Committee lekgotla, where he claimed the party's highest decision making body between conferences agreed that the SARB's mandate would be expanded.

"It honestly cannot be that when you ask the simple question of why the majority of the ownership of our Reserve Bank is in the hands of foreigners, that the Rand gets manipulated by the capitalist oligarchy and their servants, and yes, indeed, it cannot be that when we ask a simple question of how many mines are in the hands of the majority of the people of our country, that we are told our statements must not bring uncertainty to the rating agencies," said Magashule.

Magashule said there is a growing perception that the ANC is divided between those who demand radical economic transformation, and those who want to be the "gatekeepers of the compromises of the sunset clause".

"[There are] those who want the status quo to remain. It is unprecedented in the history of our Movement, to witness the countless efforts to undermine and whitewash the Resolutions taken by the 54th National Conference of the ANC," Magashule said.

Magashule said the branches of the ANC agreed at the party's 2017 Nasrec conference on the need to accelerate the process for the radical economic transformation of our society. He said to ignore the branches would destroy the party.