KZN governance: IFP accused of abandoning GPU leadership duties amid NFP feud

The IFP has been accused of “abandoning” its duties to lead the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) following its failure to meet with the NFP to resolve the tensions that are threatening the GPU.

Sources within the GPU said that it seems the IFP is “running away” from meeting with the NFP. They believe that the IFP, as the leader of the GPU, should have spearheaded a meeting with the NFP to resolve the tensions between the two parties that have led to the NFP walking away from the GPU.

A political analyst noted that relations between the two parties are frosty, dating back to the time when the NFP broke away from the IFP. He believes that the GPU partners will have a difficult time “finding something worthwhile” to offer the NFP to regain its confidence.

The main issue of the tension, the sources added, is the conflict between the IFP and the NFP, particularly regarding the “IFP’s betrayal” in Zululand, where the NFP was seeking a mayoral role for its leader, which never materialised.

The source added that all the parties in the GPU have met with the NFP, except for the IFP.

“We are really concerned about this, as it seems that the IFP is running away from this issue. The two parties should have met a long time ago because all the tensions we are currently seeing in the GPU date back to the issues between them. The NFP feels it has been treated poorly by the IFP, and the fact that the NFP leader has been left out in the cold has angered the NFP and left it feeling disrespected,” the member stated.

The source added that following the meeting between the DA and the NFP, there is renewed hope. “We believe that there is still a lot of hope. We understand that the meeting between the two parties was very positive, and we believe that the NFP can still change its mind.

The GPU parties just need to work on something very positive for the NFP, especially its leader,” said the source.

Dean Macpherson, DA KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, declined to speak on the content of the meeting but said that it had been very positive.

“The meeting was both cordial and informative, attended by senior members of both parties and lasting more than two hours. It also provided the DA insight into the current frustrations experienced by the NFP in the GPU,” he said. He added that the DA welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from the NFP regarding their concerns and expectations to resume talks about the future of the GPU.

“As a responsible and committed member of the GPU, the DA will invite the IFP, ANC, and NFP to a multiparty meeting to allow all parties to raise issues that are important to them and resolve outstanding differences. “Our view remains that the GPU, with the full participation of the NFP, is the best vehicle to deliver stability, economic growth, and jobs to the people of KwaZulu-Natal.”

Macpherson added that the weekend meeting with the NFP was a positive step in the right direction and called on all political parties in the GPU to come together in the best interests of the province.

NFP leader Bheki Xaba said they will not be commenting on the meetings until they have reached their finality, as there will be other meetings.

Speaking on why the NFP and IFP have not met, he said the NFP has not received an invite from the IFP.

Political analyst Professor Musa Xulu said finding something that will be attractive to the NFP beyond the MEC seat will be difficult.

“In both legislative and executive positions, it is difficult to determine what the NFP could have received in addition to the MEC position that they have.”

He stated that the relationship between the IFP and the NFP is forever frosty. However, the organisations should be able to start exploratory talks about various scenarios that can lead to more NFP leaders getting positions in municipalities.

“The cries of the NFP leaders outside of the GPU have nothing to do with the NFP not being compensated by the GPU. The NFP has already been fairly rewarded. Their cries are about income-generating positions for NFP leaders outside of MEC Mbali Shinga.

“For that, they should also look towards the ANC, which can realistically negotiate with its national-level leadership to find income-generating compensation for NFP leaders, even in other provinces and state enterprises. The IFP does not have the luxury of national possibilities,” he said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an IFP leader said the view of the party is that the NFP’s demand to hand over the Zululand District Municipality ‘is totally unreasonable’.

“The IFP is prepared to listen to the NFP’s alternative demands and take it from there.

“We are going to meet the NFP leadership and are prepared to listen to them; however, if they still demand that we hand them the Zululand District Municipality as a condition to them remaining in the GPU, this will not happen. We urge them to come up with an alternative to this demand. Collapsing (the provincial) government will not bring any benefit for the NFP,” said the source.

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