The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal was not shocked by the decision of NFP decision to vote for the IFP during the formation of the Umlalazi Municipality council.
“We are not shocked by what happened today. We did anticipate such things during our negotiations,” said African National Congress provincial secretary, Sihle Zikalala on Wednesday.
The incident happened barely a week after the ANC and IFP breakaway party, the National Freedom Party (NFP), announced they would work together in all of KwaZulu-Natal's 19 hung municipalities. According to the agreement, the NFP councillors would vote for the ANC to take control of the Umlalazi Municipality.
The IFP had also approached the NFP for coalition in the hung municipalities but it was turned down.
Zikalala said he believed the NFP councillors had voted for the IFP because they placed their own interests above the interests of the people.
“They have just advanced their interests. We will not be hard on the NFP. We will engage with them in a polite manner. We will continue with the agreement,” he said.
IFP national organiser Albert Mncwango said he had heard that some NFP councillors had voted for the IFP during the secret balloting.
The NFP was not immediately available to comment.
The Umlalazi vote means that the IFP now controls three municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal and it could get more if NFP councillors in other municipalities decide to vote for their former party.
The NFP was formed by former IFP members who left the party during a fierce battle for the presidency position currently held by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. -
Sapa