Suspended African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s court bid to overturn his suspension failed on Monday.
The high court in Johannesburg denied Magashule leave to appeal an earlier decision that confirmed his suspension as lawful.
The ANC suspended Magashule in May after he refused to step aside until his ongoing criminal case was concluded.
Magashule has appeared in court on charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering related to an R255 million Free State asbestos audit project tender.
Magashule, who still earns R133 000 a month from the ANC, is out of jail on bail of R200 000.
Last month Magashule, and 15 others appeared in the high court in Bloemfontein for a pretrial hearing.
The accused include former Mangaung mayor, Olly Mlamleli, businessman Edwin Sodi and former Free State human settlements department head Nthimotse Mokhesi.
Magashule says the charges against him are politically motivated and denies any wrongdoing. He will next appear in court on 19 October.
