Media reports in City Press and elsewhere that Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi had offered and wanted to resign as Party leader at the IFP National Council are "fictitious and completely without any foundation", the Inkatha Freedom Party said today.

Musa Zondi, IFP National Spokesperson said that on the contrary, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi at the last two sessions of the Party's National Council's had committed himself to doing everything he can to ensure that the Party recovers and regains its strength.

Musa Zondi added: "these stories emanate from enemies of the IFP who are bent on sowing dissension in the Party and they will not succeed in this foolish endeavour.

"Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi is looking forward with relish to leading the Party in this parliament and responding to the great challenges that lay ahead for the Party and South Africa."