IFP leaders discuss municipal coalitions
2011-05-23 16:29
Durban - IFP leaders will decide on Monday whether to form coalitions with other parties in KwaZulu-Natal’s hung municipalities, the party said on Monday.
"The issue of coalitions will be discussed today. We will decide whether there is a need to form coalitions," said Inkatha Freedom Party national organiser Albert Mncwango.
The African National Congress and the National Freedom Party were expected to hold coalition talks on Monday afternoon in Durban, said NFP leader Zanele Magwaza-Msibi.
"Our delegation is going to have a meeting with the ANC delegation in Durban this afternoon. The ANC has formally approached us to discuss this issue," she said.
The May 18 local government elections resulted in 19 hung municipalities in the province.
The NFP, which won Edumbe Municipality outright and gained a majority vote in Nongoma, is expected to act as king-maker in a number of the hung municipalities.
Magwaza-Msibi said her party had not been formally approached by its arch-rival, the IFP.
The NFP was formed mainly by disgruntled IFP members who left the party after a fallout caused by a leadership race.
Negotiations
Political commentators have said it was unlikely the NFP would form a pact with IFP.
However, Magwaza-Msibi said her party was prepared to negotiate with any party.
"The IFP has not approached us formally. We have been getting calls from individuals who are members of the IFP requesting us to consider forming a coalition with their party," she said.
Of the 19 hung municipalities, the ANC has a majority in 14, the IFP in four and the NFP in the Nongoma Municipality.
If the ANC and NFP form a pact, the IFP will be left with only the Ulundi and Umsinga municipalities.
Magwaza-Msibi said no deal had yet been struck with the ANC.
Before the elections, the NFP was accused by the IFP of being an ANC project, an accusation the party denied.
ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said engagements were taking place between the ANC and other political parties.
"There are parties that have shown interest and the engagements will take place. We are not hostile to any party," he said.
The ANC would form a pact with any party that had a serious interest in serving people.
Zikalala said the ANC would announce the names of its councillors next week.
- SAPA
