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By Sihle Mavuso
The National Freedom Party (NFP) is allegedly facing fresh attempts to stop it from contesting the upcoming local government elections.
The attempt is allegedly being spearheaded by disgruntled members of the party who wrote to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and asked to deregister the party.
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The allegations are contained in a letter written by the acting secretary-general of the party, Bheki Xaba.
Xaba said he wrote the letter to assure members of the national executive committee that leadership is aware of the attempt and would thwart it.
“It has come to our attention that a group of ill-disciplined and rogue elements within the party has approached the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) with a demand that the current leadership of the NFP be removed from the IEC records and that Sections 9 and 12 be revoked, with the intention of preventing the NFP from participating in the upcoming Local Government Elections,” Xaba said in the letter.
He said the alleged actions are not only reckless but are also a direct attack on the democratic mandate of the party and its members.
“These individuals, numbering approximately fifteen and known to the leadership, falsely claim to act in the interest of the NFP while actively collaborating with individuals and political formations that have historically sought to weaken and destabilise our organisation. Some of these collaborators include people who were previously expelled from the party.
“Their conduct is both unscrupulous and deeply concerning, as it seeks to undermine the very survival of the NFP. The leadership is currently assessing the matter and, at an appropriate time, the names of those involved will be formally communicated through the relevant organisational processes,” he added.
He called upon all NFP leaders and members across all structures to remain vigilant.
“At times, we may unknowingly engage with individuals who present themselves as comrades while simultaneously working against the interests of the organisation. It is important that we guard the unity and integrity of the NFP with the highest level of discipline and political maturity.
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“Preliminary information suggests that some of the individuals involved include elements associated with the 2019 groupings, some members from battalion structures, certain individuals linked to the 2023 Newcastle elective processes, and even some members within the broader leadership structures.”
He also said despite numerous attempts to destabilise the party, it had survived.
“The NFP has survived many challenges before, and through unity, discipline, and commitment to the founding principles of the organisation, we will continue to defend and strengthen our movement. We thank all leaders and members of the National Freedom Party for their vigilance, loyalty, and dedication during these challenging times,” he said.
In 2016, the NFP was unable to contest the local government elections after it failed to pay the required election deposit by the IEC deadline, a setback that marked the decline of a party that had once governed several municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.
It was formed in 2011 by the late Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, as an IFP breakaway.
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