Ace Magashule's party tears itself apart

AFRICAN Congress for Transformation (ACT) has announced the expulsion of 11 party members accused of causing division and disruption within the organisation.

The ACT Provincial Executive Committee in the Free State released a statement detailing the immediate expulsion of members who allegedly acted against the party's principles.

Tony Mokoena, ACT provincial secretary, stated that the expelled members engaged in actions that aimed to divide and disrupt the organisation.

"Their behaviour breached our code of conduct and ethical standards. Their actions were detrimental to the collective goals and aspirations of the organisation. These violations are intolerable and contradicts the foundation of the party's principles. We are committed to maintaining the integrity, values and unity of our organisation," he said.

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The expelled members include Rankele Msinto, Mokone Rantshaila, Tshidi Senoge, Tsietsi Sethabela, Iris Magamise, Maureen Moopeloa, Mapaseka Nkoane, Motlalepule Makoloane, Tatum De Pearce, Rosa Gcantsane, and Tiisetso Khaalo.

Rankele, representing the expelled members, countered the claims.

He stated that they had not been expelled but had resigned from ACT at different times since Monday, 1 July, citing reasons for their departure.

"Ace Magashule, through his secretary, issued a statement expelling us from what he called 'family organisation'. We need to place it on record that we are not expelled from ACT, but have since resigned," Msinto said.

Msinto accused Magashule of acting dictatorially by withholding the draft constitution and code of conduct, failing to disclose the financial standing of the organisation, and sidelining other districts like Matjhabeng.

He also alleged that Magashule appointed a party representative to the provincial legislature unilaterally and kept party interim structures in the dark about his ongoing criminal cases.

"It is then malicious for him to issue a statement saying he has expelled us. How do you expel an individual or a collective whereas you are in possession of their resignation letters? We have proof of service to him," Msinto told Daily Sun.