Support for IFP leader's court bid

SCORES of IFP supporters were expected to flock to the Pietermaritzburg high court tomorrow when the party's chairperson takes the party to court.

"We are planning a huge picket for Wednesday. We want to show them (IFP leaders) that our preferred candidate has support," said Mzonjani Zulu.

IFP chairperson Zanele Magwaza-Msibi has approached the court to stop the party from hauling her into an inquiry that might result in her being expelled.

The beleaguered IFP leader also wants the court to order the party to hold its elective conference, which has been postponed six times since July last year.

While the IFP argues the conference was postponed because of destructive lobbying spearheaded by Magwaza-Msibi's supporters, she says it was postponed so that those who supported her could be removed.

IFP leaders have been locked in a leadership battle for more than a year.

Intense lobbying for positions has divided the party into those who support Magwaza-Msibi and those who support IFP general secretary Musa Zondi to lead the party.

In the court papers lodged late last week, Magwaza-Msibi said she had been seen as a threat after IFP members said they preferred her to replace Mangosuthu Buthelezi when he retired.

She said her political enemies within the IFP began campaigns to prevent her from either standing or being elected.

Magwaza-Msibi said the national council's resolution to haul her before an inquiry was unlawful because the term of office for the national council expired at least on October 8 last year.

Magwaza-Msibi failed to attend a national council meeting in Ulundi at the weekend.

Zondi said the national council regretted her failure to attend, as it was committed to giving her a fair hearing.