Durban - A showdown is brewing in the troubled National Freedom Party over who should be the organisation’s national chairman.
This happens as the suspended deputy national chairman, Sicelo Mabika, and NFP Youth Movement deputy president, Lindani Magwaza, challenged Bheki Gumbi, who is acting in that position.
Gumbi was appointed in an acting capacity by the national executive committee (NEC) following the disqualification of the NFP in the municipal elections in all municipalities except Nquthu.
After the party’s disqualification, national chairman, Maliyakhe Shelembe, and secretary-general Nhlanhla Khubisa subsequently resigned from their positions, but kept their parliamentary positions.
However, Mabika, who was suspended along with treasurer, Xolani Ndlovu, lashed out at Gumbi for making statements on behalf of the party at a media briefing last Friday.
The press conference was apparently convened to coincide for the NEC meeting, but that was later postponed due to lack of quorum, according to Mabika.
“I want to reiterate the fact that the NEC has still to meet to discuss the preparations of the national elective conference, programme of action, and all other party matters before any pronouncements can be made.
“It is therefore abundantly clear that anyone convening a ‘meeting’ and making pronouncements is totally out of line, misleading and causing confusion to our members.
“I’m calling upon all faithful members of the NFP to resist being misled and confused by pronouncements made by Cde Bheki Gumbi, as they do not come from the constitutionally elected NEC, of which I am the deputy national chairman and the acting chairman,” Mabika said.
Magwaza said they rejected Gumbi’s pronouncements on any NFP matters, saying Mabika and deputy president Alex Kekana should make pronouncements on party matters.
“Gumbi must focus on his position as the chairman of the NFP in Gauteng province and not talk national matters,” he said.
Gumbi declined to comment and referred questions to Kekana, who could not be reached for comment.