More problems for NFP, ANC pact in KZN
2011-06-03 16:04
Durban - National Freedom Party councillors in KwaZulu-Natal have refused to honour their party's recently concluded pact with the African National Congress for a second time by failing to vote with the ruling party.
"I can confirm that our councillors in Umtshezi Municipality yesterday [Thursday] chose to go against the party's decision of working with the ANC in the hung municipalities," said NFP spokesperson Zanele Cele.
As a result, the formation of the new council and the inauguration of the mayor had to be postponed.
The coalition agreement was concluded just five days ago.
On Wednesday, NFP members voted for the Inkatha Freedom Party during the formation of the Umlalazi Municipality council, which incorporates the town of eShowe.
Cele said NFP councillors had refused to meet with the party’s national working committee (NWC) members.
The NWC members had tried to set up a meeting between the councillors and their counterparts in the ANC before the first council meeting.
Disciplinary proceedings
"The NFP states categorically that it cannot tolerate ill-discipline in the ranks of members appointed to represent the NFP in the hung municipalities," said Cele.
The party administrator had been instructed to start disciplinary proceedings against the councillors who had brought the party into disrepute, she said.
She said the NFP had approached the provincial department of co-operative governance for advice on what had happened in the Umlalazi Municipality.
"Our councillors there [Umlalazi] have apologised. We are now looking at options available to rectify the mistake," she said.
She said the NFP's pact with the ANC had worked well in the Nkandla, Ntambanana, Endumeni, Nquthu, Umvoti, Emthonjaneni, Ukhahlamba, Abaqulusi, Imbazane and Indaka municipalities.
The May 18 local government elections resulted in 19 hung municipalities in the province.
The NFP and the ANC agreed to work as partners in all of them.
The NFP refused to form a pact with the IFP.
The NFP councillors' decision to vote with the IFP in the Umlalazi Municipality gave the IFP control of three municipalities.
- SAPA
