The Chairman of the IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB) in KwaZulu-Natal, who is heard in a recorded conversation inciting violence, Mr. Mncedisi Maphisa, has been suspended.
Maphisa was stopped by IFP member, Ms. Lindi Ndlovu, who was heard saying that she will not wear a t-shirt with the face of the party’s leader, Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Maphisa is a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and has been the mayor of BaQulusini Municipality, while Ms Ndlovu works in a municipality managed by the IFP.
The decision to suspend Maphisa and Ms. Ndlovu was taken at a special meeting of the IFP executive committee called after its spread.
IFP spokesperson, Mr. Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said the executive committee decided to suspend Maphisa and Ms. Ndlovu after Maphisa admitted that he was the one speaking in the recorded conversation.
Hlengwa said Maphisa and Ms Ndlovu will be disciplined.
“Maphisa has been suspended from all positions including being the Chairman of IFPYB KwaZulu-Natal and being a member of the National Council in the IFP. He will be suspended until his case is heard by the National Council. Ms Ndlovu has been suspended from all matters affecting the party, she is not allowed to be part of the matters affecting the party until a decision is made on her disciplinary process and heard by the National Council.”
Hlengwa said the executive committee will continue to investigate the matter, and then present a full report at the National Assembly meeting.
“The IFP warns its leaders, members and party structures to avoid making reckless statements that bring the party into disrepute and cause division in the party. The leadership of the IFP will make sure that all the party’s policies are followed.”
Maphisa and Ms. Ndlovu got into trouble after a recorded speech was circulated where they are heard talking about internal battles in the IFP.
In this speech, Ms. Ndlovu is heard complaining to Maphisa that people on her side are blocked when there are meetings to anoint the centers.
Maphisa replies that Ms. Ndlovu and others on their side should not agree to play with people who are on their side.
Maphisa is heard saying that those on their side should beat those on the opposing side in the inauguration meetings of the centers in which those on the side are aligned with it.
When the conversation continued, Ms. Ndlovu was heard saying that she had been given t-shirts with the face of the person she called her father, and it is believed that she meant the t-shirts with Hlabisa’s face.
Ms Ndlovu is heard saying that she will not wear t-shirts with “this father’s” face on them.
IFP members were recently allowed to wear t-shirts with Hlabisa’s face.
Previously, t-shirts with the face of the group’s founder, King Mangosuthu Buthelezi, were allowed.