The IFP NEC has noted the reports doing the rounds on the basis of a Facebook posting wherein Dr Ziba Jiyane claims to have rejoined the IFP.
In the interests of public clarity on this matter the NEC wishes to set the record straight as follows:
The IFP does not have a Facebook branch, or any other structure on social media, and therefore the utterances of Dr Jiyane about joining the IFP on Facebook do not constitute him actually joining.
The history of Dr Jiyane and the IFP is well documented and therefore it will serve him well to explain himself.
In 2017 Dr Jiyane sent emissaries to the IFP to express his desire to join the Party; the Party indicated that membership is taken up at a branch level; and that Dr Jiyane would have to explain the nature of his departure from the Party in 2005, and the utterances he made thereof.
In 2018 he sent a new delegation to meet with Prince Buthelezi, and the Prince referred the matter to the NEC; given that it was not a personal matter. The NEC subsequently met with the delegation of members of the clergy who explained the desire of Dr Jiyane to rejoin the Party.
In principle, the Party had no problem because it is our mobilisation mission to recruit every South African into our fold. Furthermore, the NEC advised that Dr Jiyane is more than welcome to join the Party at his nearest branch and subject himself to the constitutional prescripts applicable to a new member.
The NEC felt yet again that it was necessary for Dr Jiyane to explain himself to clear the air on the criticism he made when he left about the President of the Party including that of “dictator”, and the strong criticism against the Party alleging an absence of internal democracy.
The Party has not received a response from Dr Jiyane, save that typical to his style he took to Facebook protesting against the NEC and then claiming his unwavering allegiance to the ANC.
This latest instalment of Facebook postings therefore adds to the mystery of the pandemic toeing and froing on his part.
The NEC directive as communicated to the delegation of the members of the clergy has not changed. Dr Jiyane, if he is rejoining the Party will do so at his nearest branch.
The IFP is governed by its constitution and its structures and therefore no exceptions will be made to accommodate new members regardless of their previous roles in the Party. The onus is on Dr Jiyane to conduct himself consistently with the rules and subject himself to due process.
The Facebook postings form nothing but a statement of intent to join, and do not constitute a formal application to join, which may be accepted or rejected. At this point in time Party records do not reflect that Dr Jiyane has joined the Party, nor has any branch of the Party indicated that it has received his application.
The NEC rejects this public posturing and self-created fanfare because it seeks to circumvent processes and directives of the NEC which are born out of a process initiated by Dr Jiyane himself through the delegation he sent on his behalf to the Party.
The IFP will not toe and fro from its established and constitutional processes.
On behalf of the IFP NEC:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa, MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539