NNP denies disbanding

2004-04-25 22:00

Cape Town - The NNP presented a united front on Sunday despite rumours that the beleaguered party is set to be disbanded.

The party is apparently split in two about its continued existence and a battle for the leadership of the party is allegedly being waged.

Although senior Western Cape party members reiterated on Sunday that they are not opposed to the party's co-operation agreement with the ANC, many are reportedly unhappy about Marthinus van Schalkwyk's management style and the way in which the election campaign was handled.

Reports have it that the party's possible disbanding is being investigated at the highest level.

Senior NNP members in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu Natal are particularly upset because all the NNP seats in parliament went to Western Cape members.

Carol Johnson, party spokesperson, claimed it was "a mere coincidence" that all NNP parliamentarians were from the Western Cape.

She also denied the rumours that the party was going to be disbanded and said there was no debate about the leadership of the NNP.

However, several members apparently suggested the end of the party over the weekend and Pierre Uys, deputy mayor of Cape Town, is allegedly a strong candidate for the leadership should the party continue to exist.

Within party circles, speculation is rife that Van Schalkwyk's handling of the election campaign led to the poor performance of the party in the elections.

- Die Burger