Inkatha Freedom Party Statement By:
MS VS Kamagwaza Msibi
National Chairperson of the IFP

10 October 2007

In light of various media reports, I would like to make it unequivocally clear that the IFP constitution does not provide for a deputy-president, but stipulates that in the unlikely event of a change of leader midterm, the National Chairperson (at present me) would become acting President.

The acting President would call an elective conference to elect the party's new leader.  

I have been cited as a nominee for this non existent post in various media reports at our Annual General Conference this weekend. The post does not exist and there is no intention to discuss it at the weekend.

 I think some confusion has arisen because the ANC has a deputy-president. The IFP has a different constitution and, with all due respect, I ask commentators to recognise that. Our leadership arrangements, incidentally, are very similar to those of the Democratic Alliance.  

The Party President, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, is presently serving his five year term. He won an overwhelming mandate in 2004 which was bolstered again last year at a special conference. Prince Buthelezi will lead the IFP into the 2009 election. There is no vacancy for the President's office. This weekend's conference is a regular working one, not an elective conference.  

The IFP, in my view, has never been as united behind the leadership of Prince Buthelezi as it is at the present time. We are focused on working toward victory in the 2009 election.