Celani Sikhakhane
The IFP is facing a revolt in some municipalities due to infighting over mayoral positions, forcing several councils to postpone the swearing-in of new representatives.
In Msinga, the council meeting had to be called off after a fight broke out between IFP councillors.
One of the councillors who was supposed to be sworn in, Doctor Myeza, said that if it was not for the IFP infights councillors could have already begun work to serve their respective communities.
“This is not only happening in Msinga Local Municipality but in other municipalities that we won. We were told there are certain leaders in the party who are trying to impose their favourites as mayors,” he said.
Msinga has been the stronghold of the IFP for many years. This was evident in 2006 when the IFP lost many municipalities to the ANC but retained Msinga.
Apart from Msinga, in Pongola Local Municipality the party is also facing divisions over mayoral candidates.
IFP came out as the big winner in the recent local government elections in KZN.
It managed to win most ANC key municipalities and districts. It is also a favourite choice to lead many municipalities through the coalition of the EFF, NPA, Apemo and DA.
A source revealed that the party leaders were meeting in Durban to discuss the issue of mayoral deployments.
