Durban - A storm is brewing in the National Freedom Party (NFP) over the public appearance of party leader Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi at a meeting in Pretoria last Friday.
KaMagwaza-Msibi was admitted to hospital after she reportedly collapsed at her Newcastle home and later transferred to a Durban hospital last November.
Since her discharge from hospital, she has not been seen in public, nor been back at her government work as a deputy minister amid reports that she suffered a stroke.
KaMagwaza-Msibi, who has been recovering at home, has also not been engaged in any party work in the NFP, yet statements are issued on her behalf. This came at a time that infighting was brewing after some councillors were removed from their seats in several councils.
However, on Friday her spokesman, Canaan Mdletshe, released a statement and photos, which made their way into social media, showing her with some traditional leaders and national working committee members.
KaMagwaza-Msibi was quoted as saying her being away for a long time had affected her in many ways.
“I really miss being with the people, serving them, because that’s what I know best,” she reportedly said.
In a dramatic turn of events, there have since been reports that one of the national executive committee (NEC) members snubbed the meeting with KaMagwaza-Msibi.
The NEC was expected to clear the air around the matter at a media briefing in Durban on Wednesday.
Secretary-general Nhlanhla Khubisa said on Tuesday that there had been huge media coverage of a visit by traditional leaders and some NFP leaders to Magwaza-Msibi.
“It is said that NEC members were invited, but turned down the offer,” Khubisa said.
“It is important to set the record straight on some of the issues that appeared in the media. It is important to do so because the party is now preparing for the 2016 local government elections,” he said.
Provincial chairman Vikizitha Mlotshwa said the provincial executive was unhappy that photos of their leader were released before she had fully recovered.
Daily News