NFP denies resignations of top leaders
National Freedom Party national executive committee (NEC) member and president of the party’s women’s movement Sindi Mashinini has denied “rumours” that two of the party’s top three have resigned.
SABC radio station SAFM reported on Sunday morning that NFP chairman Vikizitha Mlotshwa and secretary general Nhlanhla Khubisa had resigned from their posts late on Saturday night, following an urgent meeting at Durban’s Tropicana Hotel on Saturday, where the NEC met to discuss “recent happenings” in the embattled party.
But Mashinini told ANA on Sunday she was unaware of the resignations. “I haven’t heard about it and I was at the meeting in Durban. I think these are rumours.”
She said Mlotshwa was present at the meeting but Khubisa was not. “I came in late. Maybe he gave his apologies. I don’t know,” she said.
The NFP was this week disqualified from participating in the August 3 local government elections after failing to pay its registration fee on time. The matter was heard in the Electoral Court on Friday and judgment was reserved.
Khubisa blamed the late registration on an administrative error. “Our national treasurer confused the dates,” he said.
The party was seeking the court’s forgiveness because they had paid, albeit late. “We are seeking condonation because we have paid the sum of R490,000. We are contesting eight provinces as a party,” he said.