12 September 2007

Cllr Dharanlan Singh was the second ANC councillor in the Ndumeni Municipality to join the IFP yesterday. Singh followed the example of his colleague Cllr Thandanani Mkhize who defected to the IFP last weekend. 

“Cllr Singh’s defection has secured the IFP’s new-found majority, forged with the DA, in the council which will change hands as soon as the floor-crossing window closes,” said IFP deputy KwaZulu Natal chairman Blessed Gwala. 

The new balance of power at Ndumeni is now as follows: IFP – 6 councillors, DA – 2 councillors, ANC – 4 councillors. 

However, the IFP has also expressed its concern about the reports of harassment aimed at the two defectors by their former political party. 

“This sort of behaviour runs against the spirit of the floor-crossing legislation whereby MPs and councillors are free to change political parties subject to legal conditions,” said Gwala. 

The IFP wishes to expose the ruling party’s double standards with regards to floor-crossing. “All is well when MPs and councillors join the ANC. The trouble starts when they dump the ANC to join another party,” said Gwala. 

“This is a clear indication that the “liberation movement”, which the ANC sees itself as even today, does not allow its members too much liberty.

Cllr Singh’s case shows that ANC councillors live under severe pressure and coercion,” said Gwala. 

Contact: Blessed Gwala, 078 690 5777