IFP president, Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) president Velenkosini Hlabisa has avoided being ousted after 20 party members attempted to institute a motion of no confidence in his leadership.
Hlabisa said at a media briefing on Tuesday that the party remained solid, strong and united in its course of service to South Africa.
“Let me firstly assure our members and South Africa, there is no crisis in the IFP,” he said.
The Mail & Guardian recently reported that Hlabisa was under attack from a group in the party and reason for the attempted motion of no confidence was over some of his supporters wearing T-shirts bearing his image.
The party had decided that only president emeritus Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s picture should be allowed on T-shirts because he would be the face of the 2024 election campaign, despite Hlabisa being the party’s president.
The IFP’s national executive committee (NEC) decided not to accede to the request by the 20 members.
Hlabisa said the national council members were subsequently called to appear before the NEC on Monday to discuss their petition and two members withdrew their signatures.
For a petition to be considered under the IFP’s constitution, it needs 20 signatories.
“We had a fruitful and constructive engagement with the colleagues, who went as far as offering an apology to the party for the confusion and public anxiety the petition has caused. Whilst the IFP constitution provides for petitions, it must be understood that this is an exceptional measure,” Hlabisa said.
“The colleagues have categorically distanced themselves from the speculation that suggested that through their petition they would table a motion of no confidence in the IFP president. The IFP will not be distracted by the desperate mischief of our detractors who seek to sow divisions in the IFP through speculation or rumour mongering.”
Hlabisa said that among the concerns raised by his detractors was the party’s election readiness for 2024, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that structures are in place.
“Over and above the already inaugurated branches, there are currently 888 branches of the party ready to be inaugurated, and the office of the secretary general will fast track the process of inauguration. As the IFP is a membership-based organisation, it follows that there would be heightened focus on ensuring branches are election ready.”
Hlabisa said that he had full confidence in the NEC and national council.
“We are a party at work. We are a united leadership at work. Any speculation to the contrary is wishful thinking by our opponents,” he said.
The IFP president said that its leadership placed a high premium on unity and discipline.
Party insiders previously said the members of the group that tried to oust Hlabisa are aligned with Thami Ntuli, the IFP provincial chairperson and King Cetshwayo district mayor, who they say has his sights set on becoming the party’s leader in KwaZulu-Natal — a position currently occupied by Hlabisa — after the 2024 elections.
The IFP has been on the electoral comeback since 2016, taking back control of municipalities it lost to the ANC and regaining its status as the official opposition in the province.
It is expected to continue on its upward trajectory in next year’s provincial and national elections, with councillors hopeful that they will be in line to make their move to the legislature and parliamentary benches.
In the province, the real potential of the IFP securing MEC positions, or even the premiership, through a post-election coalition of majority parties has increased the internal competition for positions on the provincial list.