17 May 2009

The IFP KwaZulu Natal Provincial Executive Committee today resolved to suspend the party membership of seven members of the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Executive of the IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB) together with the ordinary IFPYB member Ivan Barnes. The eight youths failed to present their case to the IFP National Council and instead incited an illegal demonstration outside of the party's head office in Ulundi.

In addition to Barnes, the suspended IFPYB members are Skhumbuzo Khanyeza (Provincial Chairperson), Simphiwe Buthelezi (Deputy Provincial Chairperson), Bheki Mngwengwe (Deputy Provincial Secretary), Vanashree Anamalay (Provincial Treasurer), Thami Nzuza (Deputy Provincial Treasurer), Hlengiwe Mthiyane (Provincial Publicity Secretary) and Oscar Yengwa (Deputy Provincial Publicity Secretary).  

"The conduct of these youths amounts to a gross violation of party discipline. Their failure to honour the invitation of the National Council to voice their concerns in favour of an illegal demonstration was preceded by their campaign in the media bent on tarnishing the IFP's reputation in the eyes of the public," said IFP Secretary-General and national spokesperson Reverend Musa Zondi.

Rev Zondi also said:

"Today's special meeting of the IFP National Council was called in order to provide a platform for the disaffected members of the IFPYB to make their concerns known to the wider party leadership. Instead, they continued in their habit of airing their grievances in the media without engaging the party.

"By contrast, the IFPYB delegation from the City of Johannesburg whose input was previously part of the media stories based on the concerns of the party's youth, used the opportunity offered by the National Council and made a presentation to the party's highest decision-making body.

"The presence of journalists at the IFP head office in Ulundi this morning ahead of the closed meeting of the IFP National Council was proof enough that the disaffected members intended to cause a media sensation rather than seek common ground with the party leadership.

"In order to prevent incorrect interpretation of today's resolution concerning the eight suspended IFPYB members, the IFP wishes to make it clear that the party membership of these youths has been suspended, not terminated pending further steps in terms of the IFP Constitution."

Contact: Rev Musa Zondi, 083 440 5966