More than a dozen politicians in Durban are likely to be affected as the ANC’s “step aside” policy cascades down party ranks, according to people familiar with the process.
KwaZulu-Natal ANC deputy chair Mike Mabuyakhulu was the first senior leader to step aside early this week. Thirteen councillors in the eThekwini metro, based in Durban, are affected. This is the most affected region of the ANC.
Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede is one of those likely to be affected, according to sources. She faces fraud, corruption and racketeering charges relating to a R400m Durban Solid Waste project. ANC KwaZulu-Natal secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli could not be reached for comment.
The ANC is embroiled in a political brawl with secretary-general Ace Magashule, who has defied suspension and launched a counterattack by announcing he had “suspended” party leader Cyril Ramaphosa. The party says Ramaphosa has not been legitimately suspended by Magashule, who, it says, has no authority to suspend the president unilaterally.
The ANC’s top leaders will discuss implementation of the “step aside” rule, which effectively suspends leaders facing criminal charges, at a meeting of the national executive committee this weekend.
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