IFP threatens to quit govt

2003-04-03 12:54

Donwald Pressly

Cape Town - The Inkatha Freedom Party parliamentary caucus on Thursday discussed the impact of floor-crossing on the party - and sources indicated the IFP could withdraw from national government if its control of KwaZulu-Natal is ended.

The IFP's Musa Zondi was still in a meeting on Thursday morning, but sources said the caucus was first told by Farouk Cassim, a veteran MP, that he was leaving the party on Friday - and is set to form a new party.

The party has already lost two national MPs.

However, the caucus was reliably understood to have discussed the critical defection of two of its members in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature - former education minister Gabriel Ndabandaba and provincial MP Jan Slabbert - from the party, respectively to the African National Congress and a new political party.

It effectively robs the IFP/Democratic Alliance grouping of control of the KwaZulu-Natal government.

It could be up to Slabbert to decide which way the political wind will blow in the province.

Buthelezi stands firm on threat

It is understood IFP leader and Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been adamant that if the ANC snatches power with a new line of forces in KwaZulu Natal - including the three New National Party provincial MPs - he will withdraw his team from national government.

They are Arts and Culture Minister Ben Ngubane, Correctional Services Minister Ben Skosana and himself. He also has two deputy ministers, including Zondi, who is deputy public works minister.

The caucus meeting, which is closed to the media and the public, was still locked in discussion just before midday on Thursday.

The defection period for politicians at national and provincial government level ends on Friday April 4.

The opposition has been badly hit by defections - except for the Democratic Alliance which has gained more than it lost.

However, the ANC has been the major benefaciary of a stream of opposition MPs to the ruling party.

KwaZulu Natal has been the traditional powerbase of the IFP. It ruled the self-governing territory area of KwaZulu before democracy in 1994 and it has dominated electoral politics in the province in the 1994 and 1999 provincial elections.

It has taken part in national government with the ANC since 1994.

- I-Net Bridge (Business)