Embattled African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule has told his senior-most colleagues in the party that he will subject himself to the law as he faces arrest and corruption charges, his deputy Jessie Duarte said on Wednesday.

The agreement was given at a meeting of the ANC’s top six officials on Tuesday night, hours after news of Magashule’s pending indictment on charges stemming from the Free State asbestos scandal broke.

Crucially, Magashule indicated that he would not want anybody or any group to stage protests in his support.

“The SG expressed his preference to officials that he would not want any individual or groups to march, print posters, T-shirts and placards on this matter and in his name.“

Likewise, Duarte said, the leadership of the party called on all ANC members to respect the court process.

“The national officials expressed the wish that all structures respect this in the spirit of one ANC and to respect the rule of law.”

They also reiterated their condemnation of “all acts of corruption and malfeasance“.

Duarte said the top six were briefed by Magashule regarding the summons served on him to appear in court in Bloemfontein on Friday.

“Cde Magashule briefed the officials about the content of the letter he received, which indicates that he will be charged under Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

“These charges relate to his alleged failure to exercise oversight whilst he was premier of the Free State province.

“The secretary-general assured officials that he will fully co-operate with the law enforcement agencies and will present himself to court on Friday.”

Duarte said the ANC leaders “will remain seized with the matter, to ensure that as the secretary-general goes through the legal processes, the process is fair and without prejudice”.

Stressing the independence of the judiciary, she called on all members of society to allow the law to take its course.

Since late September, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority have brought to court a raft of officials and prominent businessmen cited in rent-seeking scandals that plague South African politics.

But Magashule will be by far the most powerful politician yet to be arrested and charged, and there have been fears in some quarters that his supporters will stage a political pushback against President Cyril Ramaphosa.