The City Press
The Editor
Via email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Dear Ms Haffajee:
I have taken note of comments made by legal expert Kevin Malunga in Cedric Mobyisa’s article (City Press: 05 June 2011) in which he alleges that the “IFP shot itself in the foot by firing Magwaza-Msibi as mayor”.
Contrary to the media and some analysts’ misguided views, Magwaza-Msibi was never fired as the Mayor of Zululand. Her move from local government to the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament was in fact a promotion.
During the IFP’s 2009 election campaign, Magwaza-Msibi was fielded as the IFP’s Premier candidate for KwaZulu Natal, which would have seen her deployed as the head of the KwaZulu Natal government, if the IFP succeeded in winning the province. When the IFP failed to do so, a collective decision, taken by the IFP National Council, saw Magwaza-Msibi deployed to the Provincial Legislature, where it was felt her leadership skills were sorely needed.
This decision was in the best interests of the Party at that time. Treachery could not have been foreseen.
Ms Liezl van der Merwe
Press Liaison Officer to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP
