MONDAY, 2.00PM:
THE future of Correctional Services Minister Sipo Mzimela is currently under discussion in a meeting between President Nelson Mandela, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Presidential spokesman Parks Mankahlana said: “The three [Mandela, Mbeki and Buthelezi] are eager that any change in government should happen in the least disruptive manner to the running of government affairs.”
Mankahlana added that a statement will be issued once the discussions are concluded.
MONDAY, 9.30AM:
THE Inkatha Freedom Party, at its annual conference near Ulundi on Sunday, unanimously ratified Sipo Mzimela’s dismissal as party deputy chairman, with IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi hinting that Mzimela also risks losing his position as correctional services minister.
Buthelezi launched an extraordinary public attack on Mzimela — revealing that Mzimela is not on talking terms with him, or any of his IFP colleagues. Mzimela, Buthelezi said, does not give him the “basic courtesy” of greeting him and, “even when you greet him, he does not respond”.
The resolution to axe Mzimela and replace him as deputy chairman with Arts and Culture Minister Lionel Mtshali follows through on an IFP national council decision to pass a vote of no confidence in Mzimela in March, after he suggested in November that the IFP should merge with the African National Congress.
Mzimela has consistently shown preference to the ANC, inviting ANC ministers rather than IFP colleagues to answer questions on his behalf when he is absent from Parliament, and requesting Sports Minister Steve Tshwete, rather than an IFP minister, to take over his portfolio when he was ill.
Buthelezi described Mzimela’s future as correctional services minster as “a delicate one” over which he has had several discussions with Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.
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