IFP’s elective conference delayed due to ‘disarray’

THE IFP will not hold its elective conference any time soon because some of its branches were in disarray, says party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

He said this was preventing the party from holding a credible conference, which would see him stepping down from leading the party he formed in 1975. Buthelezi told Independent Media on the sidelines of the traditional leaders’ forum in Durban yesterday the IFP was trying to avoid challenges other parties faced with regard to preparation for the conference.

“We saw the ANC try to deal with bogus votes and vote-buying. We cannot have a credible, fair and free conference unless we have credible branches.” Buthelezi announced last October he would step down during the party’s conference, which was scheduled to take place last month.

He named the IFP’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary, Velenkosini Hlabisa, 52, as a suitable person to take over the helm.

However, the conference did not take place last month and no explanation was provided.

Buthelezi said the party had spoken openly about the challenges facing branches.

“We agreed on October 29 when we had a meeting of all our structures that we need to set up credible branches in order to have a credible conference.” Buthelezi did not disclose when the party would be ready for the conference.