Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) chairperson Zanele Magwaza-Msibi has approached the court to stop the IFP from hauling her into an inquiry which may result in her being expelled. The beleaguered IFP leader also wants the court to order the party to hold its elective conference which has been postponed six times since July last year.
While the IFP argues the conference was postponed because of destructive lobbying spearheaded by Magwaza-Msibi's supporters, Magwaza-Msibi says it was postponed so that those who supported her could be removed.
IFP leaders have been locked in a leadership battle for more than a year. Intense lobbying for positions has divided the party into those who support Magwaza-Msibi and those who support IFP general secretary Musa Zondi to lead the party.
A number of IFP members have been dismissed for "sowing divisions" after they openly campaigned for Magwaza-Msibi through the Friends of VZ, the group that supported the national chairwoman. In the court papers lodged late last week, Magwaza-Msibi said she had been seen as a threat after IFP members said they preferred her to replace Mangosuthu Buthelezi when he retired.
"I was seen as a threat to the established leadership and a popular candidate for the presidency position," she said. She said her political enemies within the IFP had begun campaigns to prevent her from either standing or being elected.
Ordinary IFP members, councillors and members of the party national council had been expelled for supporting her, she said. Magwaza-Msibi said the national council's resolution to haul her before an inquiry was unlawful because the term of office for the national council expired at least on October 8 last year. She said she did not form the Friends of VZ.
"I was asked to distance myself from the group. I was asked to indicate that I would not contest the presidency position," she said. She said severe pressure had been exerted on her.
Also in the court papers, Magwaza-Msibi said she has a right to be elected to any position in the party. She said the committee which investigated her involvement in the activities of the Friends of VZ had not sought her version of events when it concluded its enquiry. She said there was no doubt that those who opposed to her political future would use the findings of the enquiry against her.
Magwaza-Msibi failed to attend a national council meeting in Ulundi at the weekend. Zondi said the national council regretted her failure to attend, as it was committed to giving the national chairperson a fair hearing.
Zondi said the national council would reconvene at a later date allowing Magwaza-Msibi "another" opportunity to give the party her "version of events".
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