This was revealed by the party this Monday, after confirming IFP would elect a national leader at this years’ conference to be held from August 23 to 25, after it was postponed indefinitely.
National spokesman Mkhuleki Hlengwa indicated that the decision not to stand for re-election as leader by the party’s president, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, “still stands”.
According to Hlengwa, they blamed what they called “bogus branches” for previous postponements. The general election was also blamed, among other factors.
“In January we indicated that we are ready for conference but it would not have been practical to go to conference on the eve of an election,” said Hlengwa.
“We had had a number of setbacks in so far as our state of readiness for conference because of the number of bogus branches that had emerged and we have said this in the public domain as reasons that led to the postponement.
“The issue of bogus branches has been cleaned up and a full audit was done of all the branches and that is why we were ready for conference in January already but it was not prudent to go for conference then because of the elections.”
The process will start later this month with all outstanding provincial conferences of the IFP being held before those of the youth and women brigades next month and ultimately the national general conference in August, said Hlenga, whom many strongly believe should ascend to the senior post or lead the party.
Shenge –his clan -name lost his wife months ago and following that the family and the party agreed should take a step back and enjoy the fruits of his hard labour at home.
You’ve ran your race Dr Buthelezi go on and reminisce under the Baobab tree with your great-great children! When we go astray we shall visit for words of wisdom and direction- Shenge!
IFP was founded in 1975.
Image (We take a bow. Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the IFP to resign from active politics).
