Share

IFP: Tlakula must stay for now for sake of elections

Johannesburg - The Inkatha Freedom Party on Monday distanced itself from a call by some opposition parties for IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula to resign.

"At no meeting of the IFP national council or national executive committee was such a resolution passed," it said.

"We remain of the viewpoint that advocate Tlakula, in the interest of free, fair and stable elections, should be allowed to stay at the helm of the IEC for now."

Earlier this month, opposition parties said they were worried about the credibility of the 7 May elections. The parties met the management of the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).

It was said that parties calling for her resignation were the United Democratic Movement, the Azanian People's Organisation, the African Christian Democratic Party, the IFP, the United Christian Democratic Party, the Congress of the People, Agang SA and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

The opposition parties are giving Tlakula until the end of business on Monday to respond to their demand, otherwise they are threatening legal action.

The IEC has not responded to questions from Sapa on whether Tlakula would resign.

Earlier, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the parties had not received any communication from Tlakula.

"We will start implementing the resolution of the political parties who agreed she should step down," he said.

"We have identified a law firm who will take the matter forward starting from tomorrow onwards."

Holomisa said he was waiting for the other opposition parties to let him know if they would join the legal action. He has given them till 15:00 on Monday.

Agang SA and the EFF on Monday said they were still behind the call for her resignation.

"We are still calling for her to step aside and will join legal action if she does not," said Agang SA deputy national spokesperson Andrew Gasnolar.

Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele has previously said the electoral body should be headed by a person "without a whiff of a cloud over her head".

EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlovu said: "We are waiting for her [Tlakula's] response," he said.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 395 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 555 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE