LEADERS removed from their positions in the National Freedom Party (NFP) are accused of registering a new political party.
Reports that appeared yesterday say that NFP KwaZulu-Natal Secretary Ms. Zodwa Mtshali and the National Chairman of this organization Mr. Sibusiso “Shevu” Mkhabela are accused of having their pot taken out.
These and other senior leaders in the party are in disbelief to others as they did not hide their sympathy for Ms. Mbali Shinga who was pointed out in the NFP.
Mrs. Shinga has dragged herself down the drain by refusing to comply with the party leadership’s order to support MKP’s motion of no confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Thami Ntuli in the provincial legislature. MKP had submitted a proposal to remove Ntuli from the position in a vote in December last year.
Ms. Shinga was the only representative in the Legislature representing the NFP. He was eventually fired after he tried to forward the issue of his dismissal to the party. Even going to the Pietermaritzburg High Court last week seems to have not helped him as the Speaker of the Legislature Ms. Nontembeko Boyce has announced that he is no longer a member of this provincial government building. He also escaped the position of Minister of Community Development.
In IOL it was reported yesterday that the Secretary General of the NFP, Mr. Sunset Xaba, said that Ms. Mtshali and Khabela were expelled because they were accused of registering their new political organization.
Their expulsion followed the meeting of the national and provincial councils held at the weekend.
Since Ms. Shinga has been removed from the Legislature, it is expected that the President of the NFP, Mr. Ivan Barnes, will be sworn in as the new member representing this organization which is considered to be the kingmaker in the provincial government.
“I wonder why they don’t just leave the position by causing damage to the organization that we are working hard to revive,” Xaba was quoted as saying.
Xaba said Ms Mtshali violated the constitution and the rules of conduct for NFP representatives in society. He said the statement that Ms. Mtshali issued in support of Ms. Shinga who was expelled was not approved by the provincial executive body, so she violated the party’s constitution.
Mkhabela who is also the Mayor of Dumbe Municipality at the beginning of the year led a group that stormed a hotel in Durban to demand that Ms Shinga’s disciplinary action be stopped. He also held a press conference where he attacked the leadership of the party for prosecuting Ms. Shinga. The party is expected to remove him from the position of mayor. Efforts to get Mkhabela and Ms Mtshali to comment were unsuccessful.
Others who have been demoted are Mr. Thuba Thwala who is a member of the executive committee and Ms. Bawinile Mhlongo who is a national organizer and a member of the executive committee.