‘United’ IFP confident in preparations for 2024 elections
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has dismissed reports of factionalism in the party, saying he’s confident the IFP will continue to make inroads at the ballot box.
The party’s leadership briefed the media in Durban on Friday.
The 2024 general elections will be the first contested by the IFP without its founder, Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Buthelezi recently passed away at the age of 95.
In the 2021 local government elections, the party received 27.52% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal, becoming the official opposition to the ANC.
"We will do well next year, also do well in 2026 (local government elections) by taking municipalities that we could not take in 2021,” Hlabisa said.
“All those municipalities in 2026, together with our work next year, will be our effort to make the IFP do extremely well in a number of provinces. Our strategies, targets, and plans are in place when you look at the upcoming elections.
The IFP is part of the Multi-Party Charter bloc consisting of eight opposition parties, including the DA, ACDP, Freedom Front Plus, and ActionSA, with the stated aim of removing the ANC from power.
Hlabisa says his party do not fear coalitions as it is already working with other parties in several municipalities in KZN and Gauteng.
"The fact of the matter is that we are in coalitions, already probably in about 13 municipalities. But what is happening in Johannesburg is a joke. If you get into a coalition unprepared, you will get into dysfunctional coalitions. In KZN, we have taken a further step of entering into service level agreement," he said.
Hlabisa has been sworn in as a member of the National Assembly following the death of Buthelezi.
Blessed Gwala has now been promoted as the leader of the official opposition party in KZN.
Hlabisa dismissed rumours of factions within the party.
He rubbished claims that he was pushed to Parliament to make room for the party's Thami Ntuli to become the party’s candidate for KZN premier.