Agang suspends Ramphele

Agang SA's national executive committee suspended party leader and founder Mamphela Ramphele at a meeting in Johannesburg yesterday.

Ramphele's supporters in the party tried to prevent the committee meeting by applying to the Johannesburg High Court for an interdict yesterday. This was granted, which rendered the gathering illegal.

However, the disgruntled members, who include top party leaders, went to the same court later in the day and applied to have the decision overturned. Their application was granted, allowing them to hold the meeting.

Agang's deputy president, Andries Tlouamma, told The Times last night that the committee meeting was legitimate.

"Our leader has been suspended for bringing the party into disrepute. She appointed a task team unilaterally to investigate allegations of fraud. She also appointed parliamentary leaders without following due process. She will be served with a letter of suspension tonight [last night]," he said.

Agang has been marred by division since Ramphele made a U-turn after accepting the DA's offer to make her the party's presidential candidate in the May 7 election.

Agang secured only two seats in the election and Ramphele announced that she would take "a break" from politics.

Allegations of corruption rocked the party when about R13-million disappeared from its coffers.

Agang spokesman Philip Machanic said disgruntled members did not have the interests of the party at heart.