NFP vows to soldier on

THE uThungulu District branch of the National Freedom Party (NFP) has called for the party’s national leadership to charge its Treasurer, Xolani Ndlovu, for depriving thousands of voters their constitutional right to vote.

Speaking to the Zululand Observer, the NFP’s District Election Campaign Manager Khulekani Mthethwa said they were still coming to terms with the sad news that they have been booted out from participating in the forthcoming local government elections because the necessary payments have not been made.

‘Bitter as we are, we will not rest until our national Treasurer, who is currently in hiding, is charged for this mess. We concede that this was poor management from his office.

‘Ndlovu was asked several times about the payment during our National Working Committee (NWC) meetings, and he confirmed making payment on time. He has let us down in a big way.

‘All our plans were in motion to stamp our authority, not only as king makers, but to lead municipalities in the uThungulu district. We were hoping to increase our number of Councillors from the 27 we got in the 2011 municipal elections to at least 40. We contested all the 105 wards in this district.’

Next move
Asked about their next move, Mthethwa said his party will take their disqualification to the Constitutional Court, which they believe might rule in their favour.

‘We believe the IEC has not been fair either. Our feeling is that the money should not be the priority when it comes to the registration of political parties. The payment of the deposit should at least have two deadlines.

‘When the first deadline is missed, the IEC must issue an alert to a party for it to correct the problem in the second window period. What we are not happy about is to be prevented from participating in the elections.

‘The thought of having hundreds of thousands of voters who will now be left in a quandary as to what to do with their votes is killing us.’

Here to stay
Asked if this will be the end of the NFP should the Concourt not rule in their favour, Mthethwa said the NFP was here to stay.

‘We were not made by the courts, so even if we are not allowed back into the elections, we will continue to exist as a party.

‘Our existence does not entirely depend on our representation in municipalities, but of course we wanted to continue the good work we have done in various municipalities we were leading.’

Mthethwa said they have no plans of voting for other political parties, but would wait for the next local government elections instead.

‘We won’t entertain any political parties wanting to lure us, including a splinter party formed by our former member Mzonjani Zulu. I can assure you that on election day we will not even go near to the voting stations if Concourt rules we are out of the race,’ added Mthethwa.

Asked about the resignation of two senior leaders – National Chairman Maliyakhe Shelembe and Secretary General Prof Nhlanhla Khubisa – Mthethwa said he believed the pressure got too much for them.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer