- IFP says it waited for MK party leaders in Durban for hours during unity talks but no one arrived.
- The party says it remains fully committed to the Government of Provincial Unity under Premier Thami Ntuli.
The IFP has rejected claims that it betrayed the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party during talks to form the Government of Provincial Unity in KwaZulu-Natal.
Instead, the party says it was the MK party that failed to show up for meetings in Durban.
The IFP made the claims during a media briefing held in Durban on Wednesday. The briefing followed the MK party’s vote of no confidence against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said senior IFP leaders waited for hours at a Durban hotel after MK leaders promised to attend talks.
“We waited for MK for hours and I was part of that meeting,” Hlengwa said. “No one from the MK party came.”
The IFP said the issue was raised while responding to the failed vote of no confidence against Premier Ntuli on 15 December.
IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala said the party remains fully committed to the Government of Provincial Unity in the province.
He said the IFP entered the unity government in good faith and not for positions or political gain.
Gwala said communities in KwaZulu-Natal face serious problems including unemployment, crime, poor services and failing infrastructure.
He said political instability would only make things worse.
The IFP also dismissed claims that the unity government is under threat. Gwala said talk of partners leaving the GPU is misleading and could weaken public trust.
He said the IFP will not take part in political games that distract from fixing the province. The party said it supports clean governance and action against corruption.
The IFP also said talks about forming the GPU were never about local government positions.
This comes as NFP president Ivan Barnes called for the removal of NFP member of the KZN Legislature Mbali Shinga.
Barnes accused Shinga of refusing to support the MK party’s vote of no confidence against Premier Ntuli.
The IFP said it fully supports Premier Ntuli and the Government of Provincial Unity.
The party also voiced support for NFP MEC Mbali Shinga, saying she is doing important work in the fight against gender based violence.
Pictured above: IFP leaders during a media briefing in Durban.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
