NFP members do not vote with their feet
by Nce Mkhize
2016-06-30 18:39:05.0
A POOR turnout on Thursday forced the National Freedom Party (NFP) to abandon its plans to march through the Durban city centre in protest at the decision to disqualify the party from participating in the forthcoming local government elections.
Party members began gathering at Gugu Dlamini Park in Durban as part of efforts by the NFP to convince the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to reverse its decision on contesting the local government elections.
The party had since approached the Electoral Court in a last-ditch attempt to be allowed to participate. The matter is expected to be heard on Friday.
The small crowd in Durban broke into songs praising party leader Zanele Magwaza-Msibi – also deputy minister of science and technology – who is still recovering from a stroke she suffered nearly two years ago.
The songs denounced party secretary-general Nhlanhla Khubisa and national chairperson Maliyakhe Shelembe, who are accused of plotting Magwaza-Msibi’s downfall, as well as being largely responsible for the failure of the party to pay its registration fee in time.
But Khubisa and Shelembe told reporters that it was the treasurer who mixed up dates, resulting in the party failing to meet the IEC payment deadline.
On Wednesday evening dozens of angry NFP party supporters trashed the party’s headquarters in Durban, destroying electioneering material and calling for the resignation of Khubisa, Shelembe and other National Executive Committee members thought to be hostile to the leadership of Magwaza-Msibi.
Zodwa Mthembu, one of the party members who attended the Thursday gathering, said the party rank and file are angry for what they perceive as a deliberate destabilisation of the organisation.
"We have been going around the corners of the country mobilising people to vote for the NFP. It is very sad that we will now not take part in the elections. We are being made the laughing stocks by other political parties."
Senzo Cebekhulu, another NFP supporter, interjected, saying: "These people (the National Executive Committee members) have been assuring party members that all is well. We launched a successful manifesto two weeks ago which was attended by thousands of supporters in Vryheid. These leaders were even there but still they didn’t say there were financial problems. It was with a shock that we learnt that we will be watching the August 3 election on the side. This is very sad and we are very, very angry."
But by noon on Thursday only a few dozen of those expected to attend the march had arrived, which prompted party leaders to abandon it.
Vikizitha Mlotshwa – who is close to Magwaza-Msibi – told supporters to be calm and wait for the decision of the Electoral Court.
"We understand that you are very angry. But we plead with you to calm down. Even if the court rules against us we will take this matter to the Constitutional Court," he said.
Durban-based political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said that, even if the current impasse is sorted out, the NFP will struggle to recover from the set-back.
"This is a clear sign that all is not well within the party. Different factions are vying for supremacy and by the time they are done with each other the party will be destroyed," he said.
Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, leader of the National Freedom Party. Picture: RAJESH JANTILAL
A POOR turnout on Thursday forced the National Freedom Party (NFP) to abandon its plans to march through the Durban city centre in protest at the decision to disqualify the party from participating in the forthcoming local government elections.
Party members began gathering at Gugu Dlamini Park in Durban as part of efforts by the NFP to convince the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to reverse its decision on contesting the local government elections.
The party had since approached the Electoral Court in a last-ditch attempt to be allowed to participate. The matter is expected to be heard on Friday.
The small crowd in Durban broke into songs praising party leader Zanele Magwaza-Msibi – also deputy minister of science and technology – who is still recovering from a stroke she suffered nearly two years ago.
The songs denounced party secretary-general Nhlanhla Khubisa and national chairperson Maliyakhe Shelembe, who are accused of plotting Magwaza-Msibi’s downfall, as well as being largely responsible for the failure of the party to pay its registration fee in time.
But Khubisa and Shelembe told reporters that it was the treasurer who mixed up dates, resulting in the party failing to meet the IEC payment deadline.
On Wednesday evening dozens of angry NFP party supporters trashed the party’s headquarters in Durban, destroying electioneering material and calling for the resignation of Khubisa, Shelembe and other National Executive Committee members thought to be hostile to the leadership of Magwaza-Msibi.
Zodwa Mthembu, one of the party members who attended the Thursday gathering, said the party rank and file are angry for what they perceive as a deliberate destabilisation of the organisation.
"We have been going around the corners of the country mobilising people to vote for the NFP. It is very sad that we will now not take part in the elections. We are being made the laughing stocks by other political parties."
Senzo Cebekhulu, another NFP supporter, interjected, saying: "These people (the National Executive Committee members) have been assuring party members that all is well. We launched a successful manifesto two weeks ago which was attended by thousands of supporters in Vryheid. These leaders were even there but still they didn’t say there were financial problems. It was with a shock that we learnt that we will be watching the August 3 election on the side. This is very sad and we are very, very angry."
But by noon on Thursday only a few dozen of those expected to attend the march had arrived, which prompted party leaders to abandon it.
Vikizitha Mlotshwa – who is close to Magwaza-Msibi – told supporters to be calm and wait for the decision of the Electoral Court.
"We understand that you are very angry. But we plead with you to calm down. Even if the court rules against us we will take this matter to the Constitutional Court," he said.
Durban-based political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said that, even if the current impasse is sorted out, the NFP will struggle to recover from the set-back.
"This is a clear sign that all is not well within the party. Different factions are vying for supremacy and by the time they are done with each other the party will be destroyed," he said.
