The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) says it is pleased with the Pietermaritzburg High Court’s dismissal on Monday of chairperson Zanele Magwaza-Msibi’s attempt to force an elective conference.
“We have been vindicated,” said party spokesperson Musa Zondi.
Magwaza-Msibi approached the court with three other party members last year in a bid to force the conference, and so that she would not have to attend a party disciplinary inquiry.
No reasons for the judgement were given, but last year presiding Judge Chima Patel said the feuding factions should “find peace” with each other.
Magwaza-Msibi believes her woes are linked to support she apparently has within sections of the party to succeed Mangosuthu Buthelezi as party head when he retires.
Zondi said the party will extend an olive branch and concentrate on recovering lost ground ahead of the 2011 local government elections, which many see as an indication of the extent of African National Congress support in the province, which used to be associated politically with the IFP.
“The IFP believes that the high court judgement has reasserted the notion that the IFP is one organisation with one leader, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, whose legacy, wisdom and continued stewardship are vital to its survival as a viable political force in the pursuit of democracy in South Africa.” — Sapa