Free State premier and ANC chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana is elated to see his predecessor, Ace Magashule, leave the ANC, describing him as more dangerous inside the organisation than outside of it.
Earlier this month, Maga-shule announced in a media briefing the establishment of his own political party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT).
This week, in a television interview, Magashule declared he was ready to win the provincial elections scheduled for next year – a dream, if realised, would see him reclaim his position as provincial premier.
However, unfazed, but more boisterous, Dukwana said he could not be happier to see Magashule leave the ANC, a man he describes as being prone to “causing commotion within the structure”.
The ANC leader was expressing his jubilation to Sunday World at the farewell party of Chinese consul-general in Johannesburg Tang Zhongdong.
Dukwana said he has waited a long time to be at the helm of the province, which Magashule administered for several years. The once powerful provincial figure was formally expelled from the ANC in June – a party he had served his whole political life – giving way for Dukwana to take over the reins.
“I am grateful that Ace has left the party. He was causing commotion within the structure,” Dukwana said.
He alleges that even after the expulsion Magashule continued to sow divisions, and that he was a great source of instability in the province.
“It was long coming, as we knew his departure was imminent. When he was a leader of the ANC, he was also behind establishing other parties like the ATM and many others.
“When he spoke, there was a lot of negativities. He would speak about dismantling the ANC in the province. The structures that we are building in the province are aimed at bringing back the party to its glory days.”
Dukwana said during his time, Magashule predetermined who should be the branch leaders.
“We have seen this trend at annual general meetings where he parachuted his friends into positions in order to push his own agenda. This has helped us to know his colours. We can now face him as an opponent working against us,” Dukwana said.
“I can’t comment about the ANC, and I don’t need to say anything about the ANC. I am with ACT, and there is no need to respond to anybody. Well, they have been part of our collective all the years,” said Magashule.
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