More woes for the NFP, now its national chairperson faces a disciplinary probe

The NFP has given its national chairperson Shevu Mkhabela until Monday January 19 to make his written representations to explain his unauthorised media briefing last week, in which he made comments that were in contradiction of the party's stance on the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

Mkhabela, who is also the mayor of eDumbe Local Municipality broke ranks with the national executive committee (NEC) and led a media briefing with the party’s provincial executive (PEC) reaffirming the support for the GPU. The party’s NEC formally withdrew from the GPU two weeks ago.

In the letter penned by the party's acting Secretary-General Sunset Xaba, he asked Mkhabela to explain who authorised him to hold a media briefing last week, with Xaba saying this had raised unconstitutional and disciplinary concerns.

“By whose mandate you convened and addressed a press conference on 15 January in Durban? Why was this action taken outside the collective authority of the NEC, notwithstanding that the party had already convened a press briefing on the 9th of January where the party’s position was publicly articulated with regards to the withdrawal from the GPU and the suspension of the party’s provincial chairperson Mbali Shinga,” read the letter.

The letter further directed Mkhabela to explain who transported party supporters to Durban where the party was holding disciplinary proceedings against Shinga and why the supporters were mobilised to disrupt the hearing.

“You are hereby mandated to submit a written representation to the NEC no later than Monday before close of business,” concludes the letter.

Although the letter is dated 15 January (the day Mkhabela held a media briefing), Mkhabela said he had not yet seen the letter.

“Let me get it to the office, perhaps I will find it there because I did not receive it,” said Mkhabela.

Xaba confirmed writing to Mkhabela, saying his office is expecting his response by the close of business on Monday. He dismissed reports that the mayor has already been suspended, saying further action would be determined after his response.

Mkhabela’s media briefing was preceded by ugly scenes of a fist fight between the party’s president Ivan Barnes and the party’s Uthukela district chairperson Manqoba Dlamini, regarding the continuation of Shinga’s disciplinary hearing.

Mkhabela told the media that Barnes and the NEC were out of order for suspending and disciplining Shinga for voting against an Umkhonto weSizwe Party motion last month.

He argued that the NEC had no authority to tell Shinga she should side with, saying in terms of the party’s constitution, those powers are with the provincial executive committee.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za