National Freedom Party (NFP) leaders are divided over whether sanctions should be taken against the two high-ranking party leaders and councillors currently in the dock on separate murder charges.
On Friday, the provincial executive committee (PEC) expelled Mzonjani Zulu, both as party member and councillor in eThekwini, and also decided to suspend Bhungu Gwala as a member.
But the national leadership of the party was said to be against this, and has called a meeting on Tuesday where it is to discuss the issue with the provincial leaders.
Gwala is suspected of being involved in the murder of IFP supporter Celiwe Shezi at KwaMashu hostel on October 6, while Zulu was charged with the murder of another IFP supporter, Sya Dlamini.
The latter was shot dead in full view of the police outside the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court, allegedly by Zulu, with the incident being captured on camera.
This happened on October 15, shortly after Gwala and his two sons made their first court appearance at the court in connection with Shezi’s murder.
Apart from serving on the eThekwini council, both Gwala and Zulu are national working committee members.
But on Monday the national leadership of the party said that only the national executive committee (NEC) had the power to expel any member from the party.
“We have to remember that there is only one membership of the party,” said the NFP’s secretary-general, Nhlanhla Khubisa.
The national leaders said that lower structures of the party could only make recommendations for someone to be expelled.
Party president Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi said while she detested violence and was in agreement with the PEC that such actions could not be condoned, she said she felt that the constitution of the party had to be followed.
“We also need to take into consideration what happened at the court [in the case of Zulu],” she said, adding that TV footage showed that Zulu had taken steps back as he was allegedly being attacked.
But Vusi Khoza, the provincial secretary, was adamant that the provincial leadership’s decision would stand.
Asked if the PEC had informed Gwala and Zulu of its decision, Khoza said letters had been written to the two men.
“We understand that they are currently in police custody, but we wrote letters and these were delivered to their home addresses,” Khoza said.
He said it was only Gwala who could appeal the decision after the conclusion of his court case, but said the same did not apply to Zulu.
“With Zulu it was clear that he shot someone in full view of the media and the police. It was not for us to consider whether he was being attacked or not; it is for the court to consider.”
Khoza said Zulu’s actions at Ntuzuma had brought the party into disrepute.
Source: IoL
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