ANC shuts the door in Ace Magashule's face

The neighbouring South Africa's ruling African National Congress National Executive Committee has taken a decision that members of the organisation affected but Step-Aside resolution should not be nominated for positions in the party structures this comes at the time where the party is preparing for the Elective Conference.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ANC said the NEC had agreed that those facing criminal charges should not be allowed to stand for a position in any of the branch, regional, provincial and national conferences.

The decision therefore means that the suspended Secretary General of the ANC Ace Magashule will not be able to stand for election and there are fears that the former Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize who is touted as a contender to the Presidency might be forced to step aside as he has not cleared his name on allegation that he influenced the awarding of the tender to Digital Vibes company.

Former ANC Spokesperson Carl Niehaus has blasted the Thuma Mina faction led by President Cyril Ramaphosa as vindictive.

"This is a total outrage! The triumphalist factionalists are now on a rampage, and they are tearing our ANC  apart." Carl Niehaus said. "This can under no circumstances be allowed. It is a flagrant contravention the basic constitutional tenet of innocent until proven guilty in a court of law!"

Professor Jonathan Moyo has called weaponisation of malicious or frivolous allegations against political opponents.

"An organisation, community or nation that does not uphold the natural justice principle: innocent till proven guilty by a competent court of law invites the abuse of the criminal justice system & the weaponisation of malicious or frivolous allegations against political opponents!" Moyo tweeted.