By Celani Sikhakhane
- Deputy president Buthelezi is angry at Hlengwa for allegedly plotting to replace him as IFP deputy leader.
- The leadership fight has created visible tension at NEC meetings ahead of the party’s elective conference.
The race for leadership within the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has led to serious tension between party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa and deputy president Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi.
Sources told Scrolla.Africa that the pair have clashed in several National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings, where Hlengwa and Buthelezi have reportedly exchanged harsh words in front of other members.
Insiders say Buthelezi accused Hlengwa of backstabbing him by secretly campaigning to take over as deputy president.
“Their situation is very bad because the deputy president Inkosi Buthelezi was fuming in one of the meetings accusing Hlengwa of decampaigning him. He even told Hlengwa that he should be ashamed because he is turning his back to someone who once protected him during his difficult times when he was under serious attack in politics including his personal life,” said one of the leaders.
The IFP elective conference is expected to happen later this year. It was originally planned for December last year but was postponed.
Party leaders said at the time that branch processes were still underway.
At the party’s 50-year anniversary celebration at kwaNzimela in Melmoth last week, IFP KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Thami Ntuli publicly backed current party president Velenkosini Hlabisa for a second term.
Attempts to get comments from both Hlengwa and Buthelezi were unsuccessful.
Pictured above: Leadership race of the IFP has caused the infighting between deputy president Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi and spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa
Image source: IFP
