Celani Sikhakhane
The son of the late National Freedom Party leader Zanele kaMagwaza Msibi has become embroiled in a dispute over the party’s list of councillor nominees for the upcoming elections.
Melusi Gumede has also been accused of trying to occupy the power vacuum left behind by his mother, who passed away last month.
Gumede manipulated the list of nominees for NFP councillors in Zululand, a source in the party told Scrolla.Africa.
Scrolla.Africa has been told that relations are so bad that party leaders are threatening to take Gumede to court but those close to him have tried to intervene in order to prevent this.
“Gumede is very powerful in the party by virtue of being the son of the founding president. He is using that advantage to control everyone in the party,” a source said.
“We cannot allow the kids of our late leader to turn this party into a family organisation,” the source added.
A party member, who also wished to remain anonymous, said Gumede tried to control the funds of the party even when his mother was still alive.
“Those who wanted to take him to court were also told they would be fired from the party,’’ the member said.
Gumede has flatly denied every allegation, describing them as fanciful and silly.
“First of all, I am not even in the leadership of the party and I don’t even have those powers to control the processes of our party,” Gumede began.
“I am just an ordinary member of the NFP, and the party has followed all normal processes to select the candidates. So kindly ask to call our Secretary General, Canaan Mdletshe, because he is the only person who can respond,” said Gumede.
NFP Secretary General Canaan Mdletshe said the concerns about Gumede’s influence within the party have been addressed.
“That matter has been resolved and I don’t think you should even write a story about it,” Mdletshe said to Scrolla.Africa, before hanging up.
