IFP MP Sanele Zondo. (@SaneleZondo0326/X, formerly Twitter)
- IFP MP Sanele Zondo, who is the party’s whip in the National Assembly and chairs its youth wing, has been put on special leave.
- This was after his wife levelled abuse and gender-based violence allegations against him.
- In the interim, IFP Youth Brigade national secretary Mlungisi Mabaso will take over Zondo’s responsibilities.
The IFP has put one of its senior lawmakers, Sanele Zondo, on special leave after his wife accused him of gender-based violence.
Zondo, a whip in the national Assembly who doubles as the IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB) chairperson, reported his wife, Simenyiwe Dlomo-Zondo, missing just a few days ago.
On Monday, the IFP issued a statement urgently appealing for information on her whereabouts.
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Although she was eventually found, the matter took a turn by Wednesday when Zondo was put on special level amid allegations by her of abuse and gender-based violence.
She alleged in a video that they were having marital issues.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said:
After days of dread and anxiety, the IFP noted with relief today that Mrs Simenyiwe Dlomo-Zondo, the wife of IFP Youth Brigade national chairperson, Comrade Sanele Zondo, has been located and is alive.
However, Hlengwa added that, in light of the “serious revelations and allegations” of abuse and gender-based violence she had levelled against Zondo, the IFP decided to put him on “special leave” from all party activities with immediate effect.
The IFPYB’s national secretary, Mlungisi Mabaso, will take over Zondo’s responsibilities in the interim.
“During this period, Comrade Zondo is expected to attend to his personal and family matters,” Hlengwa added.
“With regard to the allegations made by Mrs Zondo, the IFP believes that the relevant law enforcement agencies must deal with these allegations,” Hlengwa said.
“The IFP has always expressed its commitment, through its policies and manifestos, to true and meaningful women’s empowerment.”
He said the IFP took the matter “extremely seriously” and wanted to assure the public of its commitment to deal with the matter urgently.
Zondo was approached for comment but didn’t respond. He shared the IFP statement on social media.
