Accusations and counter-accusations over who is likely to switch allegiances during the forthcoming floor-crossing window period have resulted in an Inkatha Freedom Party member of parliament pledging to pay the party R1-million should he defect to another party.
The MP, Kamal Panday, made an affidavit attested to by the police declaring his loyalty to the party.
This affidavit was forwarded to the IFP's president, Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
The affidavit reads: "I, Kamal Panday, take oath and declare my absolute commitment to the IFP. In case I defect from the party during the floor-crossing period, I pledge R1-million to the party within one month from the date of defection."
Panday read this affidavit to the media where 40 other party MPs also pledged their loyalty to the party at the weekend.
In an interview with The Mercury on Sunday, Panday said he had signed the affidavit voluntarily.
"I wanted to prevent finger-pointing, gossip-mongering and to stop people from using me like a political football.
"I, as a member of the IFP, his excellency (Buthelezi) and the party were worried about whether there were any turncoats in the party.
"I thought that I must not be put in that category and I wanted to dispel any doubts. I think I have integrity because I have been in politics for 30 years and I have never lost an election - because of the faith of the people (in me)," he said.
The pledge by party MPs comes in the wake of fears that the IFP could lose some of its MPs to the newly formed National Democratic Convention, led by former IFP chairman Ziba Jiyane.