Buthelezi will not stand for re-election as IFP leader

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Monday that it was “nonsense” that he had done an about-turn on his decision to step down from his position at the party.

Buthelezi was addressing members of the media on the IFP’s electoral performance which saw it win the opposition race in hotly contested KwaZulu-Natal with 588,046 votes, 16.34% support, against the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) 500,051 votes, 13.90% support. Nationally, the IFP garnered 588,839 votes, 3.38 % support, increasing its seats in the national assembly from 10 to 14.

“I’ve very publicly and very clearly indicated what will happen and when it should happen and how it should happen. So there is no surprise whatsoever that I’m returning to Cape Town next week to be sworn in as a member of parliament until the IFP holds its national elective conference, I’m still the president of the IFP and I must fulfil the responsibilities of that position,” Buthelezi said.

However, Buthelezi said he would not stand for re-election as party president at the IFP’s national elective conference, which he said would be held as soon as possible. He added that he has not nominated a successor “because that is not how it works”.

“The IFP is a democratic party with a constitution and rules and procedures. Our leaders are elected by the rank and file of our members through their delegated representatives at a national conference,” Buthelezi said.

He said through the party’s extended national council in October last year, IFP structures unanimously nominated the party’s secretary-general, Velenkosini Hlabisa, to stand for election for the position of party president.

“I did not put his name forward myself nor did I engage in debate on who should stand but I was pleased to support the decision of our extended national council,” Buthelezi said.

ALSO READ: IFP wins opposition race in KZN from DA

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