Durban - The NFP plans to fight its exclusion from the August 3 local government elections all the way to the Constitutional Court.
The party is appearing before the Electoral Court on Friday and, should the decision go against it, will consider taking the matter to the Constitutional Court.
It faces a real possibility of not being able to participate in the elections after it failed to pay an amount of R490 000 to the Independent Electoral Commission, due on the June 2. It said the money was paid on June 22.
The NFP's strategy is to admit that the party made a mistake and beg for mercy from the courts.
The party had planned to contest at least 872 wards across the country and is co-governing with the ANC in 14 hung municipalities in the province.
It governs Dumbe, Nongoma and Pongola on its own.
On Wednesday, a small group of supporters descended on the party’s offices demanding answers.
The payment, the party leaders said during an emergency press briefing on Wednesday, was delayed owing to an administrative error.
The party treasurer was blamed as he allegedly confused dates for payment.
The party’s national chairman, Maliyakhe Shelembe, said they would investigate the matter and take disciplinary steps.
“We acknowledge there was an administrative error which resulted in the NFP not paying the required deposit before, or on the due date, and this mistake has resulted in the IEC disqualifying us... this was an honest mistake,” said Shelembe.
He said the launch of the party’s manifesto, door-to-door campaigns and volunteer launches were evidence enough that the party was always serious about contesting the elections .
“We have approached the Electoral Court for condonation. It is not our intention to challenge the IEC or any electoral legislation but to ask the court to condone our bona fide mistake. We trust the court will show leniency. Should our application fail, we will have to consider taking our plight to the Constitutional Court.”
The party was already considering alternative use of their councillors.
“It’s not about government positions, our party members will continue as volunteers and assist the communities because that is what this is about, being visible in the community,” said Shelembe.
ANC provincial secretary Super Zuma said their relationship with the NFP was for the current term only.
“We have said we will be going all out to win elections and what happens after August 3, we will cross that bridge when we get to it,” he said.
The Mercury