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Ace Magashule

Elias Sekgobelo "Ace" Magashule (born 3 November 1959) is a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist who held senior positions in the African National Congress (ANC), including Secretary-General from 2017 to 2021 and Premier of the Free State Province from 2009 to 2018. As a longstanding ANC figure aligned with former President Jacob Zuma, Magashule rose through provincial politics, becoming the party's longest-serving Free State chairperson, but his career culminated in suspension in 2021 and expulsion in 2023 after refusing to step aside amid corruption charges. Magashule faces ongoing criminal prosecution for 21 counts of fraud, corruption, and money laundering tied to the irregular awarding of a R255 million asbestos removal contract during his premiership, which prosecutors describe as bearing hallmarks of graft, including kickbacks he allegedly received. His defiance of the ANC's step-aside rule—intended to sideline charged officials—intensified internal factional strife, leading to his ousting and the formation of a breakaway party ahead of elections.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Family

Elias Sekgobelo Magashule, commonly known as Ace Magashule, was born on 3 November 1959 in Tumahole, a township in Parys, Free State Province, South Africa. He was raised single-handedly by his mother, who worked as a kitchen assistant in Sasolburg, amid the working-class poverty prevalent in the area during the apartheid era. His early years were characterized by acute deprivation, reflecting the systemic hardships faced by black families in rural townships at the time. During childhood, Magashule participated in community activities including drama, soccer, and , which shaped his formative experiences in Tumahole. Little public information exists regarding his father or siblings, with accounts emphasizing his mother's sole role in his upbringing. Magashule is married, though details about his wife remain limited in available records. He has two sons, Tshepiso and Thato Magashule, and a daughter, Thoko Alice Malembe, born in the late during his period of and with whom he reunited in 2011.

Education and Early Activism

Magashule attended Tumahole Primary School, later renamed Lembede Primary, and Phehellang Secondary School in his hometown of Tumahole, , before completing his matriculation at Residensia High School in . He pursued tertiary education at the , obtaining a degree, followed by one year of study toward an LLB at the and a certificate in research and marketing from the . After completing his BA, Magashule worked as a teacher at Moqhaka High School in and later at Phehellang High School in Tumahole, where he opposed the apartheid-era Bantu Education system and encouraged political awareness among students. His early activism emerged in the late 1970s amid anti-apartheid efforts; in 1982, while at the , he was arrested and charged with high treason and public violence for activities linked to the (ANC). Magashule participated in organizations including the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Azanian Students' Organisation (AZASO), the Vaal Teachers Organisation, the National Education Crisis Committee (NECC), and the formation of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). He also engaged in underground operations, collaborating with figures such as and to facilitate the exile of youth activists.

Provincial Political Ascendancy

Initial Roles in Free State Legislature and MEC Positions (1994–2009)

Following the African National Congress's victory in South Africa's 1994 general elections, Ace Magashule was appointed to the Provincial Executive Council as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Economic Affairs, serving in that portfolio until 2004. In May 2004, under Premier , he was reassigned to the MEC for . Magashule's tenure as MEC for Agriculture was short-lived; he was dismissed from the Executive Council in April 2005 amid reported internal African National Congress factional conflicts within the Free State province. Despite this setback, he retained his position as ANC Free State Provincial Chairperson, a role he had assumed in 1994 and which afforded him considerable influence over provincial governance and appointments. By October 2007, Magashule had been reappointed to the Executive Council as MEC for , and , a position he held through to at least May 2009, when he transitioned to the premiership. Throughout these years, as a member of the Free State Provincial Legislature, Magashule focused on ANC organizational priorities in the province, leveraging his chairperson role to navigate leadership transitions and policy implementation.

Premiership of the Free State (2009–2018): Policies and Implementation

During his tenure as from 2009 to 2018, Ace Magashule prioritized Operation Hlasela, an overarching provincial program launched to combat , , and by aligning resources across sectors including , , and . The initiative involved outreach campaigns and transversal tendering to centralize , ostensibly for efficiency, but critics alleged it facilitated networks by funneling contracts through the premier's office, with implementation marred by irregular expenditures exceeding R2 billion in some departments. In education, Magashule's administration expanded access through policies emphasizing no-fee schools, the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), and Early Childhood Development (ECD). By 2013, 85.5% of schools (serving 533,681 learners) operated as no-fee institutions, up from prior years, while NSNP beneficiaries grew to 535,028; Grade R enrollment rose from 1,167 classes in 2009/10 to 1,938 in 2013/14, accommodating 43,286 children. The matric pass rate improved from 69.4% in 2009 to 87.4% in 2013 and 86% in 2017, with 31 new schools constructed between 2009 and 2017 and over 8,000 bursaries awarded annually by 2018, including 1,271 students sent abroad (e.g., 279 to China). However, implementation faltered due to cadre deployments in the department, leading to administrative collapse and failure to deliver textbooks on time, as reported by opposition audits. Health policies under Magashule focused on expansion, management, and infrastructure, with antiretroviral treatment scaling from 53,152 patients in 2009 to 193,869 by 2013; rose to 55.3 years by 2016, and TB cure rates reached 76.6%. Key implementations included 49 new facilities (e.g., Albert Nzula Hospital), 95 ambulances, and recruitment of 736 doctors and 2,035 nurses over five years. Despite these metrics, systemic failures emerged from political interference in appointments, resulting in hospital collapses, an R800 million departmental debt by mid-tenure, and unaddressed suits totaling R600 million, prompting national moratoriums on hiring and in 2014 due to financial mismanagement. Economic strategies aligned with the national New Growth Path, emphasizing job creation via the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), SMME support, and infrastructure like the Maluti-A-Phofung (SEZ), which attracted R550 million and 255 permanent jobs by 2018. fell to 31.8% in 2017, with 233,359 EPWP opportunities created and R4.7 billion allocated to 1,886 SMMEs; projects like Grain Field Chickens generated 1,100 jobs. Implementation was undermined by centralized tender processes that allegedly enabled kickbacks, with flagship Operation Hlasela projects (e.g., a R150 million initiative) collapsing post-tenure due to poor oversight and probes revealing inflated costs. Social development policies targeted via (270,846 subsidies since 1994, 147,005 title deeds issued 2009–2013) and (reaching 1 million recipients by 2013), alongside transferring 370,000 hectares to 7,900 households. These efforts claimed broad coverage but faced criticism for uneven delivery, with rural projects like Vrede Dairy (92 jobs) stalled by irregularities tied to provincial . Overall, while quantitative targets showed progress in access metrics, qualitative assessments highlighted patronage-driven inefficiencies that eroded service delivery, as evidenced by Auditor-General reports on fruitless expenditure exceeding R1 billion annually in key departments.

National ANC Leadership

Tenure in National Assembly and Executive (1997–2004, 2009)

Magashule served as a member of South Africa's , the lower house of , from August 1997 until the April 2004 . He was appointed to fill a in the ANC's parliamentary representation during that period. Specific legislative contributions during his tenure are sparsely documented in public records, reflecting his primary focus on provincial ANC structures in the at the time. In parallel with his parliamentary service, Magashule's influence within the ANC grew through party structures. At the ANC's 52nd Conference in in December 2007, he was directly elected as an additional member of the party's Executive Committee (), the highest decision-making body between conferences. This role positioned him in the executive leadership of the ANC by 2009, coinciding with his appointment as province following the ANC's victory in the 22 April 2009 general elections. As an member, he participated in shaping party policy and strategy at the level, though his concurrent provincial executive duties limited direct involvement in portfolios.

Secretary-General of the ANC (2017–2021)

Magashule was elected as Secretary-General of the (ANC) at the party's 54th National Conference, held from 16 to 20 December 2017 at the Nasrec Expo Centre in . He secured the position after a contentious vote against Senzo Mchunu, with the outcome determined following multiple recounts amid allegations of irregularities; business reports indicated that 17 additional ballots favoring Mchunu were validated, yet Magashule prevailed by a narrow margin of approximately 13 votes. As the party's chief administrative officer, his responsibilities included overseeing day-to-day operations, coordinating branch and regional structures, preparing for elective conferences, and executing National Executive Committee (NEC) resolutions. Throughout his tenure, Magashule positioned himself as a leading figure in the ANC's pro-Jacob Zuma faction, advocating for policies centered on radical economic transformation (RET) and resisting reforms pushed by President . He played a pivotal role in internal party mobilization, including efforts to influence decisions and provincial leadership alignments, often clashing with Ramaphosa's anti- initiatives. In early 2021, amid escalating factional tensions, Magashule defied the ANC's newly enforced "step-aside" rule—introduced in 2020 to require charged members to temporarily relinquish positions—which was applied following his March indictment on 21 counts of , , and tied to a R255 million audit contract during his premiership. On 5 May 2021, after refusing a 30-day ultimatum to step aside, the ANC's deputy secretary-general issued a temporary suspension notice, prohibiting Magashule from executing SG duties, representing the party, mobilizing members, or issuing public statements on ANC matters. Magashule responded by attempting to suspend Ramaphosa in retaliation, citing constitutional violations, but this move was rejected by the as invalid. He launched a challenge against his suspension, arguing it infringed on his rights and party procedures, but on 9 July 2021, the in dismissed the application, upholding the ANC's decision and affirming the step-aside rule's enforceability within the party's internal framework. This effectively curtailed his active leadership role, marking the end of his tenure amid broader party efforts to address perceptions.

Corruption Allegations and Legal Challenges

The Asbestos Audit Scandal and Related Charges

The asbestos audit scandal originated from a R255 million tender awarded by the Free State Department of Human Settlements in 2014 for the identification and eradication of asbestos-containing materials in schools and public buildings across the province's townships. The contract was granted to Blackhead Consulting, owned by businessman Sodi, through an unsolicited bid process that circumvented competitive tendering requirements under the Management Act (PFMA), with allegations that preliminary audit work was inflated and removal efforts yielded substandard or incomplete results despite substantial disbursements. Prosecutors have described the awarding as "clear-cut ," pointing to procedural irregularities approved during Ace Magashule's tenure as provincial , including the of R24.25 million to Sodi's firm shortly after the tender's endorsement. Magashule faces 21 counts stemming from the scandal, including fraud, corruption, money laundering, and theft, with claims that he received a R10 million payment from Sodi following the tender's approval, routed through intermediaries. He was arrested on November 13, 2020, alongside 15 co-accused, such as former Human Settlements MEC Olly Mlamleli and Magashule's former personal assistant Moroadi Cholota, in a joint operation by the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate and the Hawks. The charges collectively encompass 50 counts against the group, alleging a scheme that violated PFMA regulations and involved kickbacks, with the state seeking potential sentences of up to 15 years per accused if convicted. Magashule has denied wrongdoing, portraying the prosecution as politically motivated amid ANC internal factionalism. The trial commenced in the High Court in in April 2025, where Magashule and all co-accused entered not guilty pleas to the charges. Proceedings faced delays, including a postponement to June 2025 for further pre-trial arguments, amid procedural challenges such as Cholota's successful special plea on jurisdiction, leading the to withdraw charges against her while pursuing and counts. Separate asset forfeiture efforts by the Asset Forfeiture Unit targeted properties linked to the tender's proceeds, including vehicles and valued at over R32 million, though Magashule's personal assets were not included in a May 2025 order. As of June 2025, the case remains active, with no convictions secured and ongoing disputes over evidence admissibility.

Additional Corruption Claims Involving Associates and Family

In 2018, allegations emerged implicating Ace Magashule's , Thoko Magashule, in a R150 million RDP awarded to Unital Holdings for the of 1,050 low-cost houses in Bethlehem's Vogelfontein area during Magashule's tenure as Premier. The Democratic Alliance () laid criminal charges against Magashule, claiming he intervened to favor the company, from which his had resigned as a director shortly before the award, and that only a fraction of the houses were completed despite payments exceeding R120 million. Investigations highlighted irregularities, including the project's abandonment and poor-quality , but no convictions resulted from these specific claims against Magashule or his . Magashule's sons, including Tshepiso Magashule, faced scrutiny over government tenders, notably in 2020 when reports alleged their companies secured Free State COVID-19 PPE contracts worth around R3 million; however, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) cleared them of wrongdoing in 2022 after finding no evidence of impropriety. Separately, Tshepiso was linked through business partnerships to Isaac Seoe, a Magashule associate convicted in March 2018 of fraud in a Free State tender corruption case involving irregular procurement processes, though Seoe was acquitted of related corruption and money laundering charges. Other associates, such as former Moroadi Cholota, have been charged with and in matters tied to Magashule's administration, including facilitation of undue payments, though these overlap with broader probes. Magashule has consistently denied personal involvement or knowledge of impropriety, arguing that family businesses engaging with government are permissible absent legal violations. These claims, often raised by opposition parties like the amid Free State's history of irregularities under Magashule's leadership from 2009 to 2018, underscore patterns of alleged but have yielded limited prosecutions beyond individual convictions like Seoe's.

Arrest, Suspension from ANC, and Ongoing Trials (2020–Present)

On November 13, 2020, Ace Magashule appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on 21 counts of , , and related to a R255 million audit and removal contract awarded by the Free State provincial government in 2014 during his tenure as . The charges alleged that Magashule and 17 co-accused, including businessman Edwin Sodi and companies Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Investments, irregularly awarded the tender to politically connected entities, with funds diverted through inflated invoices and kickbacks totaling over R20 million. Magashule, who denied any wrongdoing and described the prosecution as politically motivated, was granted R30,000 . In response to the charges, the (ANC) invoked its "step-aside" policy, adopted in 2017 and formalized in 2020, requiring members facing corruption allegations to voluntarily relinquish positions pending trial outcomes. Magashule refused to comply, arguing the rule did not apply retroactively and challenging its constitutionality in court, leading to a temporary suspension from his role as ANC secretary-general on May 3, 2021, effective immediately. The suspension barred him from party activities and decision-making, escalating internal ANC factional tensions between his supporters, aligned with former president , and reformist elements under President . A subsequent ruling upheld the ANC's authority to enforce the suspension, dismissing Magashule's claims of procedural unfairness. The asbestos case has faced repeated delays due to procedural issues, including the of co-accused Moroadi Cholota, Magashule's former , from the in August 2024 after her arrest there in 2021. On April 15, 2025, all 18 accused, including Magashule, entered not-guilty pleas to over 70 combined counts in the in . The trial was postponed to January 26, 2026, following disputes over evidence admissibility and the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) handling of Cholota's status, with Magashule publicly criticizing the delays as NPA incompetence while maintaining his innocence. As of October 2025, no verdict has been reached, and related efforts, such as a May 2025 order seizing R32 million from implicated entities, excluded Magashule personally. The protracted proceedings have drawn criticism for undermining public trust in anti-corruption efforts, though Magashule has used the forum to allege targeting ANC critics of Ramaphosa's leadership.

Post-ANC Career and African Congress for Transformation

Expulsion from ANC and Political Motivations

Ace Magashule was formally expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) on June 12, 2023, following a decision by the party's National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), which found him guilty of multiple violations of the ANC constitution. The expulsion stemmed from his failure to submit representations within a seven-day deadline to contest the NDC's earlier guilty verdict, delivered in May 2023, after charges were referred in 2021. Key misconduct included his unilateral announcement in July 2021 attempting to suspend ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala farm scandal, an action deemed invalid under party rules as the secretary-general lacks authority to discipline the president without NEC approval. This followed Magashule's own suspension in May 2021 under the ANC's step-aside rule, which required officials facing corruption charges to vacate positions; he refused, leading to legal challenges where courts upheld the party's internal disciplinary processes but did not intervene in membership decisions. The step-aside rule, adopted at the ANC's 2017 conference and reinforced under Ramaphosa's leadership, aimed to address scandals tarnishing the party's image post-Jacob era, mandating temporary withdrawal for charged members pending trial outcomes. Magashule's defiance, including public statements rejecting the rule as unconstitutional and politically motivated, escalated tensions, as he positioned himself as a defender of "radical economic transformation" (RET) against perceived favoring Ramaphosa allies. His November 2020 arrest on and charges related to a R255 million asbestos removal contract provided the initial trigger, but the expulsion process highlighted broader breaches like undermining decisions. Politically, the expulsion reflected deep factional divisions within the ANC, with Magashule—a key Zuma ally and RET proponent—representing resistance to Ramaphosa's reformist agenda, which prioritized anti-corruption measures and centralized control. Elected secretary-general in December 2017 amid Zuma's influence, Magashule had previously blocked RET critics and supported Zuma's defense against state capture inquiries, fostering perceptions of the step-aside as a tool for purging opponents rather than impartial accountability. Analysts note that while the ANC framed the action as upholding discipline, it effectively neutralized a rival power base in the Free State province, where Magashule had long dominated structures, consolidating Ramaphosa's dominance ahead of internal elections and reducing threats from pro-Zuma elements. Magashule's camp countered that the process was victimization for opposing elite pacts and foreign-influenced policies, though his limited personal constituency beyond provincial machinery limited broader repercussions for the ANC.

Formation and Evolution of ACT (2023–Present)

The African Congress for Transformation (ACT) was launched by Ace Magashule on 30 August 2023 in , positioning itself as a left-leaning alternative to the ANC with a focus on , , and addressing grievances against the ruling party's failures. Magashule, serving as president-general, criticized the ANC for abandoning its people since , emphasizing ACT's intent to prioritize the politically marginalized. Early notable recruits included former Hawks head General Berning Ntlemeza as deputy president, signaling ACT's appeal to figures from and anti-corruption spheres. In January 2024, announced a strategic alliance with Jacob Zuma's () party, aiming to unite anti-Ramaphosa factions ahead of the May 2024 general elections through joint campaigns and potential support. However, encountered severe logistical hurdles, losing a challenge in May 2024 over incomplete candidate lists submitted to the Independent Electoral (IEC), which barred full participation in the national and provincial polls. Magashule subsequently alleged vote rigging and pursued further discussions with multiple parties, though 's electoral impact remained negligible, particularly in the where ambitions to challenge ANC dominance "fizzled out." Post-election, ACT persisted with grassroots mobilization, launching its manifesto on 18 May 2024 in to outline policies on prosperity and transformation. By 2025, the party maintained operations, including a office and campaigns in areas like , while convening national leadership meetings to address , , and . A 2025 media briefing highlighted ongoing efforts to reposition ACT for future contests, rejecting integration rumors with MK and reaffirming independence amid unverified speculation of leadership overtures. Despite limited electoral success, ACT has framed itself as a vehicle for radical economic policies, drawing from Magashule's ANC networks in the and .

Public Perception and Broader Impact

Achievements and Supporter Perspectives

During his tenure as Premier of the Free State from 2009 to 2018, Magashule oversaw initiatives credited with enhancing and accountability, alongside advancements in quality and youth development programs. The provincial government under his leadership acquired approximately 7,500 hectares of land, equivalent to 17 farms valued at R100 million, for redistribution to support economic empowerment. Supporters highlight infrastructure developments, educational reforms, and healthcare expansions as key legacies, with provincial secretary Kgaketla Mokoena of the African Congress for Transformation () affirming these as tangible contributions to provincial growth. In his role as (ANC) Secretary-General from 2017 to 2021, Magashule contributed to organizational expansion by increasing party membership to 1.4 million, marking the highest audited figure in ANC history and a nearly 25% growth from prior levels. He played a part in strategizing for electoral success, including measures to revitalize ANC structures ahead of the 2019 national elections, which supporters view as evidence of his commitment to strengthening the party's grassroots base. Supporters portray Magashule as a steadfast defender of ANC traditions and radical economic transformation, arguing that corruption charges against him stem from political factionalism rather than substantive wrongdoing, often framing his legal battles as by rivals aligned with President . This perspective emphasizes his enduring popularity among Zuma loyalists and provincial networks, where he is seen as maintaining a significant political force capable of mobilizing voters despite expulsion from the ANC in 2023. Loyalists have demonstrated allegiance through actions like burning ANC regalia post-expulsion, interpreting his ouster as an attempt to sideline voices advocating for uncompromised revolutionary principles.

Criticisms, Failures, and Detractor Views

Critics have accused Ace Magashule of enabling systemic and governance breakdowns during his premiership in the from 2009 to 2018, pointing to projects that delivered minimal outcomes despite substantial public funds. The asbestos audit contract, awarded in 2014 for R255 million to remove hazardous materials from schools and homes, saw contractors perform negligible work while payments were authorized, resulting in , , and charges against Magashule in 2020. Detractors argue this scandal exemplifies how his administration prioritized patronage over public health, ignoring asbestos-related risks despite legal mandates for remediation. Opposition figures, including the Democratic Alliance, have highlighted the province's service delivery failures under Magashule, such as the collapse of Operation Hlasela—a flagship communal farming initiative launched in 2012—which devolved into inefficiency and alleged vehicles, with state investments yielding no sustainable agricultural output by 2022. A 2011 housing scheme, overseen by Magashule and later Housing MEC Olly Zwane, squandered over R1 billion on incomplete or substandard units, labeled a "dismal " in official reports due to tender irregularities and poor oversight. These lapses contributed to broader infrastructure decay, with detractors citing pockmarked roads and erratic utilities in areas like as hallmarks of ANC provincial mismanagement epitomized by his leadership. Magashule's tenure as ANC Secretary-General from 2017 to 2021 drew ire for exacerbating party factionalism and resisting reforms, as he refused to step aside amid charges, prompting his 2023 expulsion for constitutional violations including failure to account for misconduct. Critics from within and outside the ANC, such as analysts tracking , portray him as a key enabler of graft , with members securing provincial contracts like tenders, fueling perceptions of . His legal defenses, including attempts to dismiss cases, have been by courts, reinforcing views of evasion over . The launch of the in 2023 has been derided by detractors as a opportunistic splinter lacking ideological depth or organizational viability, evidenced by its failure to submit compliant candidate lists for the elections despite court challenges, and negligible electoral impact. Observers contend ACT represents personal political survival rather than transformative reform, mirroring Zuma-era tactics of portraying prosecutions as victimization, which has not resonated amid public disillusionment with ANC-linked figures. Overall, detractors frame Magashule's career as emblematic of entrenched , undermining democratic trust through unaddressed failures in resource stewardship and .