IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has ruled out coalition talks with the ANC. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
- IFP leaders Belenkosini Hlabisa and Thami Ntuli have denied speculation they are at odds over forming a coalition government with the ANC.
- They agreed that the ANC was not an option for post-election coalitions.
- Meanwhile, the IFP has called on Mayor Gabriel Malembe to resign in Umboti Municipality for steering the deal with the ANC that led to him becoming mayor.
- Find out everything you need to know about the 2024 general election in News24's election hub.
The IFP sacked Umboti Municipality mayor Gabriel Malembe, alleging that he had formed a “coalition” with the ANC to become mayor.
And this should be enough proof that there will be no coalition talks with the ruling party, said IFP leader Berenkosini Hlabisa.
Speaking exclusively to News24 this week, Hlabisa and provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli denied speculation that the two are at odds on the possibility of embracing the ANC as a coalition partner.
They denied speculation they were at loggerheads again, this time over allegations that Mr Hlabisa was resisting factions ready to work with the ANC if the KwaZulu-Natal provincial election results were inconclusive.
Read | ABC breaks with ANC as coalition partner in eThekwini, and ANC returns the favor in Umboti
The Abantu Batho Congress' (ABC) decision to exclude the ANC as a coalition partner in eThekwini Metropolitan Territory has triggered retaliatory moves by the ANC in Umboti.
Umboti municipal councillors worked with the IFP to oust ABC mayor Philani Mavundla and ABC chairman Mfundo Masondo, who were in a coalition government with the ANC in the city.
Umbothi IFP councillors, without informing national executive committee leaders, joined forces with ANC councillors at a special meeting last week to expel the ABC from the parliamentary leadership.
The IFP national leadership and the ABC have viewed this as a “coalition” and have opposed it.
A special council meeting was recently held to replace Mavundla with the IFP's Malembe, but it has now been called off after his party struck a deal with the ANC that saw Malembe take the job, which also included the appointment of the ANC's chairperson.
A source told News24 that Malembe was part of a group of IFP politicians who pushed for Hlabisa's ouster last year.
The source said:
Ntuli considered working with the ANC. [with] Malembe. But Hlabisa doesn't like Malembe. [Malembe] I wanted to get rid of Hlabisa.
However, speaking to News24, Hlabisa and Ntuli denied the allegations.
Hlabisa said the IFP's decision to ask Malembe to resign and reverse its decision to work with the ANC was evidence that the party was not considering coalition talks with the ANC.
He added that what happened in Umboti was “reckless”.
Hrabissa said:
All I know is that when we heard that, we said, “Mayor, resign.” He submitted his resignation on Friday when he resigned. The NEC said they had never endorsed anyone to form a coalition government with the ANC. And he [Malembe] I resigned. You can't say you want to get rid of the ANC and at the same time campaign that you want a coalition government with the ANC. That would be madness.
Asked whether Mr Ntuli's supporters were considering the possibility of working with the ANC, he added that the remark was “unfair” to the powerful Mr Ntuli, who is the ANC's KwaZulu-Natal chairperson.
“he [Ntuli] “Ntuli is leading a campaign to get rid of the ANC. So why does Ntuli want the ANC to come to power? How? He is trying to become prime minister,” Hlabisa said.
Ntuli added that he had no differences with Hlabisa or any of the IFP leaders about the coalition government.
“We will collectively decide and take a stand. We are of the common view that the coalition issue will be decided when we do not get 50 plus one and then we will discuss and take a decision,” he said.
IFP/ANC coalition in Murtala constituency
Umboti IFP councillor Petros Ngubane, who is also Umzinyathi district mayor, said he is a member of the council but did not vote with the ANC.
“We just ran for mayor. We didn't vote. We know the mayor was asked to resign. [by the IFP]”
Ngubane added that IFP councillors would accept any mayor, including an ANC one, “but not Mavundla”.
“Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know,” he said.
“Anyone who wants to work with Mr Mavundla must take him wherever he goes and work with him, not in Umboti. If it is my party, the IFP, they must ask us. We are not going to work with Mr Mavundla and no one will force us to work with him.”
“He is not ambitious. He did not seek to install himself as mayor,” Ngubane said of Malembe.
When reached for comment, Malembe hung up the phone and did not answer further calls from News24.
Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal High Court issued an injunction blocking the special council meeting on May 21 at which Mavundla was sacked.
The ANC-led provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department was ordered to cover the costs, and the South African Electoral Commission and Parliament were instructed on August 6 to show why the order is not valid.