Step-aside rule

The step-aside rule is associated with Cyril Ramaphosa's effort to repair the ANC's image following various corruption scandals.

The step-aside rule is an internal policy of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party of South Africa, which requires members charged with corruption or other serious crimes voluntarily to "step aside" from participation in party and government activities, or face suspension. Since its adoption in 2017 at the ANC's 54th National Conference, it has led to the suspension of several ANC members, most prominently ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule. In 2022, it was applied to prohibit affected members from standing in internal leadership elections.