Ace Magashule suspended as ANC secretary general

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has suspended its Secretary General, Ace Magashule, over corruption charges, which he denies.

His suspension in line with the application of tougher rules for party officials charged with corruption.

State broadcaster SABC and news website Eyewitness News said Magashule’s deputy, Jessie Duarte, had written to him informing him of his suspension.

Magashule is one of the ANC’s top six most powerful officials and one of the main rivals of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has taken a harder line on corruption since taking over as ANC leader in December 2017.

Magashule faces corruption charges over a contract to audit homes with asbestos roofs when he was premier of the Free State province.