By Sihle Mavuso
A power struggle inside the National Freedom Party threatens to unravel its stability and role as a power broker in the KwaZulu-Natal government.
The IFP, ANC, and DA coalition is in power in the province thanks to a single seat from the NFP, which shifted power to the Government of National Unity parties.
They were all walloped by Jacob Zuma’s Umkhonto Wesizwe party, which won over 45% of the vote in KZN.
Since then, NFP president Ivan Barnes has had a fallout with 15 senior members of his party and threatened to expel them.
However, the 15 members who received threatening letters from Barnes have lawyered up and threatened to haul him before the courts.
They include eThekwini deputy mayor Zandile Myeni, Nongoma mayor Clifford Mshangane Ndabandaba, secretary-general Teddy Thwala, and several provincial councillors.
Their letter, leaked to Scrolla.Africa, was sent to Barnes by Durban-based TI Mbili Attorneys. The action follows letters Barnes wrote to the 15 members last week asking them to explain themselves or face suspension from the troubled party.
In the letter, the 15 say Barnes’s accusations are senseless.
They told him the letters threatening to suspend them were based on “spurious, vexatious, and unfounded allegations”.
They also said he does not have the power to suspend them unilaterally and that his conduct is “unlawful and “of“no force”.
Barnes was given until 11 July to withdraw the letters or be dragged to court and forced to pay legal costs.
“You are advised that should our clients approach the court, punitive costs will be sought against you … as you are clearly acting unlawfully,” the lawyers wrote. “The contents of this letter will be brought to the attention of the court if you fail to heed the call.
“We trust that we will hear from you soon in the above regard to avoid legal action.”
Barnes did not respond when asked to comment.
Pictured above: NFP president Ivan Barnes.
Source: LinkedIn
