The ANC ushers in Usha

AFTER a 15-year-love affair with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Dr Usha Roopnarain, 38, has decided to move to the African National Congress (ANC).

Roopnarain was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature and a former member of National Parliament but was recalled by her former party.

She said she was punished for not accepting a nomination to the party’s National Council.

“The leader (of IFP) nominated me and I declined because I had so many other commitments in the party already.

“Soon after that I was hauled before the general secretary who told me that I was being disrespectful to the leader and disobedient for not accepting the nomination.

“I told her that I was just being honest and she replied that honesty doesn’t bring votes to the party,” said Roopnarain.

She said that response was the last straw.

“When I heard that, I realised this was not where I wanted to be morally and so I resigned.

“I could have been like other politicians and taken up the matter legally but I decided to leave quietly,” she said.

Roopnarain said she had also written to IFP leader, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, but had received no response.

“This is a time when the IFP should be consolidating and electioneering, not shedding leadership.

“I think this will also affect the party’s ability to attract the minority vote,” said Roopnarain.

Roopnarain’s resignation was not isolated though.

Her colleagues in the legislature, Roman Liptak and MJ Mthethwa, had also resigned. Liptak and Roopnarain have joined the ANC.

IFP spokesperson Joshua Mazibuko, said he was amazed by Roopnarain’s resignation.

“The deployment or redeployment of members of the party to whichever positions has always been the prerogative of the party.

“Roopnarain was never expelled from the party, only recalled from provincial parliament.

“Sometimes a party needs to change its line up depending on the circumstances, that’s all we did,” said Mazibuko.

Roopnarain was unveiled as a member of the ANC last week.

Her role within the party has not been defined as yet.

The party’s constitution requires that members serve at least two years before they can take up leadership positions within the ANC.