Durban - If the National Freedom Party (NFP) wants to be taken seriously, disgraced former eThekwini councillor Vusi Khoza must be fired after having been found guilty of public violence.
This is the view of political analyst Protas Madlala following the party’s announcement on Thursday that Khoza’s membership would not be terminated despite his conviction.
Two foreigners died in the incident in Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Broad) Street in central Durban in 2009. On Wednesday, Khoza “voluntarily” submitted his resignation as the NFP’s provincial secretary, saying he wanted to protect the party’s reputation. Provincial chairman Vikizitha Mlotshwa said yesterday that the NFP would await Khoza’s sentence before deciding if it would take further action. Sentencing is due to take place in the Durban Regional Court on Monday.
Khoza intends appealing against his conviction.
Mlotshwa revealed that the party was in the middle of an audit of all its leaders and councillors.
Last month the NFP terminated the membership of Nqabeni Mbatha, a councillor from the Emnambithi/Ladysmith local municipality, after he was found guilty of murder.
Madlala believes the NFP is being contradictory. “It is strange the other member was fired. The party needs to show consistency,” he said. “Khoza is having a taste of his own poison now. He was quick to call for people to be fired. There is clear favouring and this could destroy the party.” But Mlotshwa defended Khoza, saying his case had started in 2009, “way before the NFP had been established in 2011”.
“As much as we respect the decision of the court, we believe comrade Khoza when he says he is innocent and was not part of the crime he is accused of,” he said. He also revealed that Khoza’s resignation was “provisional” until the court appeal was finalised.
Mzwamandla Mzobe, the deputy provincial secretary, was appointed acting provincial secretary. - The Mercury