By Celani Sikhakhane
- Mncedisi Maphisa lost his top party roles on Tuesday night after he admitted his voice was on the leaked recording.
- The IFP also suspended Lindi Ndlovu after the recording caught her saying she refuses to wear the party president’s face.
The IFP has cracked down on two members after a leaked voice note exposed plans to beat up political rivals in Ulundi.
The party suspended its KwaZulu-Natal youth leader, Mncedisi Maphisa, on Tuesday night.
Maphisa, who chairs the transport committee in the provincial legislature, was caught on tape ordering his supporters to attack other party members.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said Maphisa wrote to the party on Tuesday afternoon and admitted it was his voice on the recording.
“Mncedisi Maphisa is hereby suspended from all party activities and responsibilities with immediate effect,” Hlengwa said.
Hlengwa said the suspension will stay in place while the national council runs a disciplinary process.
The party also suspended Lindi Ndlovu, an official at the Zululand District Municipality.
In the same recording, Ndlovu told Maphisa she is loyal to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli. She said this is why she refuses to wear any clothing showing the face of IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa.
The recording highlights a growing fight for control within the party.
Maphisa strongly supports Ntuli and wants him to take over from Hlabisa when the party holds its elective congress next year.
This is not the first time a leaked recording has cost Maphisa his job.
He previously served as the mayor of the Abaqulusi Municipality in Vryheid. The party removed him from that position after another voice note was leaked to the public.
The national executive committee will investigate the latest recording and send a full report to the national council. Both Maphisa and Ndlovu are banned from all party events while the investigation continues.
Pictured above: IFP youth leader Mncedisi Maphisa has been suspended for inciting violence in the party.
Image source: IFP
