By Celani Sikhakhane
The National Freedom Party has suspended its newly elected leadership after its electoral committee decided to investigate allegations that its electoral conference results were rigged.
The embattled NFP held its national elective conference between 15 and 17 December in Durban to replace its late leader, Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi.
The conference was also in response to the Independent Electoral Commission’s instruction that the NFP should convene its elective conference in order to participate in the 2024 general elections.
On 28 December, Amos Mthethwa, who lost the position of deputy national chairperson to Khanka Hlatshwayo, filed an objection to the result via TL Mbili Attorneys.
He alleged that certain leaders of the party tampered with the ballot papers during the registration of the delegates.
“When the results were announced our client was not successful and Khanka
R Hlatshwayo was elected into the position,” reads the objection letter from Mthethwa’s legal team.
“The elections were not conducted fairly for reasons that will become apparent for reasons set out hereinbelow and when we have sufficient information which is held by your office… Our client intends challenging the results of the elections.”
The objection letter also noted a dispute regarding the credentials of the Eastern Cape voting delegates that remained unresolved.
The legal team’s claim that the voter’s roll was illegally tampered with is based on its subsequent completion with a pen.
The NFP’s electoral committee chairperson, Tswalelo Mkhombo, said that they have taken a decision to suspend the leadership until the matter is resolved.
Suggested tweet: NFP newly elected leadership suspended in another drama over its elective conference.
Pictured above: NFP leadership that was elected at its national elective conference in Durban last month has been suspended.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
