IN A MOVE that has escalated internal tensions within the IFP, the recent removal of mayors allied with KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Thami Ntuli has raised eyebrows about the party’s internal dynamics ahead of a critical elective conference expected in December.
The IFP has officially attributed these dismissals to non-performance, but insiders claim the motivations for the culling s run much deeper.
Last week, the Umzinyathi district Municipality mayor Petros Ngubane was dismissed, marking a notable shift in the political landscape. Known for his staunch support of Ntuli and connection to the faction dubbed “Konke Kuhamba kahle” (KKK), Ngubane’s removal has sparked discontent among party members aligned with Ntuli. His ousting follows the dismissal of another Ntuli supporter, Prince Ndabuko Zulu, the former mayor of the Amajuba district Municipality, who was removed from his post in December.
One of the Ntuli supporters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the two mayors’ removal had nothing to do with service delivery failures but were a deliberate strategy to neutralise Ntuli’s supporters ahead of the party’s elective conference, which is expected to be held in December.
The member said the plan was to strip pro-Ntuli mayors of the resources and political power that comes with the positions they held, so that they cannot fund Ntuli’s campaign to oppose Hlabisa if he changed his mind and accepts a nomination for party president from the floor.
Ntuli has publicly stated that he will not take on Hlabisa at the conference.
Another source said even if Ntuli does not challenge against Hlabisa, the president would not be comfortable leading the party with Ntuli’s supporters in the top six structure.
“We do not see how removing them will change things with only a year to the local government elections. Why keep them in their positions for a full four years, then remove them at the last minute. What will the new mayor do now with no guarantee that she or he will return to this position after the 2026 local government elections,” asked the member.
Ngubane refused to discuss the matter, saying he would speak to the media after addressing the party’s hierarchy on Monday regarding his removal.
It is understood that he has been offered a seat in the provincial legislature.
The party’s national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa was miffed at the assertion that there was a political decision to remove Ngubane and dismissed as something without substance.
Hlengwa said the decision was purely based on the mayor’s poor service delivery record, saying his municipality had not received a clean audit for nine years.
“I do not understand what they are talking about. Ntuli has long ago said he was not available for any position in the coming conference and the municipality had not received a clean audit for nine years.
“I think those people saying this need to have their heads checked. The party cannot entertain people talking in taverns,” said Hlengwa.
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