According to Vusi Tshabalala, who was set aside from ANC activities after two charges were brought against him by an interim structure, the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) knew that he was innocent.

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He says charges against him were malicious and baseless but still subjected him to the disciplinary proceedings.

Tshabalala, who is a strong and close ally to the legally embattled and suspended ANC Secretary-General (SG), Ace Magashule, once accused the IPC’s leadership of a witch-hunt against him. He was accused of coercing ANC members to form an opposition against the ANC during the 2021 Local Government Elections in the Qwaqwa-based Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality.

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“I faced several charges brought against me by our organisation, the ANC, and as a disciplined member of the ANC, I submitted myself to the disciplinary hearing throughout. Comrade Dr Mathews Phosa, our previous Treasurer-General (TG), represented and defended me in the hearing in which I’ve been found not guilty. I always believed in my innocence and I was proved right," he adds. 

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He says he was hurt by charges against him but he has since forgiven those who charged him.

This is not the time to squabble and settle scores. This is the time for all of us - the National Executive Committee (NEC), Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), Interim Regional Committee (IRCs), Branch Executive Committee (BECs), and all members of glorious movement to rise above pettiness and unite our beloved movement,” Tshabalala further adds.

Tshabalala was replaced by former and then ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) spokesperson, Thabo Meeko, who acted as the Chief Whip.

The report in relation to the verdict on Tshabalala's hearing has it that one of the witnesses, who was listed as a witness by the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC), denied ever being present during a certain meeting where Tshabalala was said to have coerced his comrade to stand in opposition against the party for the elections.

The hearing into the said charges against Tshabalala sat in May this year after it was postponed in December.

OFM News previously reported that Tshabalala characterised his suspension as a witch-hunt. Tshabalala previously said his suspension was always on the cards because of his support for the legally embattled Magashule.

OFM News