South Africa: Arrest warrant issued for ANC official

Secretary-general of ANC says he has not ‘done anything wrong as a law-abiding citizen’

African National Congress Secretary General Ace Magashule speaks during an African National Congress Youth League rally in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (REUTERS)

African police have issued an arrest warrant on corruption charges of Ace Magashule, one of the highest-ranking officials of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC).

A spokesperson for the country’s elite Hawks police unit said on Tuesday that Mr Magashule is expected to appear in court on Friday.

The top official, who is the secretary-general of the ANC, told reporters he had done nothing wrong. Mr Magashule runs the day-to-day operations of the party, which has governed South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

Lynda Steyn, a Hawks spokesperson in the Free State province, told Reuters that Mr Magashule has not yet been arrested, “but the warrant has been signed”.

She confirmed a report by local news website the Daily Maverick that the warrant had been issued over allegations related to a US$16m contract to audit houses with asbestos roofs awarded while Mr Magashule was premier of the Free State.

Speaking to reporters during a campaign event in the Soweto township for upcoming by-elections, Mr Magashule said: “It it happens, it will happen, so I’m not worried at all.

“I haven’t done anything wrong as a law-abiding citizen,” he added. His comments were broadcast by eNCA television.

The ANC said it learned of the arrest warrant through media reports and would be monitoring developments closely.

The party said in a statement: “The secretary-general stated on more than one occasion, including through his legal team, that he would cooperate with any process undertaken by law enforcement agencies.”

Mr Magashule is the most senior ANC official who risks prosecution since President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced Jacob Zuma as head of state in 2018.

Whilst both men are from the ANC, they come from rival factions, with Mr Magashule opposing Mr Ramaphosa and his campaign to clean up the party’s image after a series of scandals during the former president’s nine-year tenure.

Mr Ramaphosa vowed to tackle corruption and promote good governance, and criticised his predecessor’s time as president, describing as “nine wasted years”.

He said in August that ANC officials must take leave from their positions if charged with corruption, and must resign if convicted.