Magashule launches new party African Congress for Transformation
Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has announced the formation of a new political party.
He introduced the African Congress for Transformation (ACT) at a briefing in Soweto on Wednesday.
"We are a new political party, and we call ourselves a people's party because we are about people, and we will rise and fall on behalf of the people."
Magashule told the press conference he's been consulting with other political leaders, including former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, over the past six months.
Former Hawks head, Berning Ntlemeza, will be the secretary-general of the new political formation.
Magashule was expelled from the ANC in June after being found guilty of misconduct for trying to get President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended from the party.
He refused to apologise and also failed to give the party's national disciplinary committee reasons why he should not be kicked out.
Unveiling the ACT, Magashule suggested the ANC was losing its identity.
"There has been a bitter struggle inside the African National Congress for its soul. There have been contradictions over the years for the hegemony of progressive ideas within the ANC.
“Sadly, we have seen the oldest organisation moving fast towards the right and abandoning its centre-left position. The struggle for the soul of the ANC has witnessed the systematic marginalisation of forces to the left."
Magashule is facing charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act over the failed Free State asbestos removal scheme.
The matter has been set down for April 15 to June 23 next year.
