TWO Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillors have been expelled for going against a decision of the party.
But Doctor Ndlangamandla and Duduzile Masondo have vowed to keep working until they have been informed officially.
On Tuesday night the party announced it had decided to release the two who have been serving under eDumbe local municipality.
They are said to have voted for the ANC and not the DA and EFF, as per the party’s decision.
A defiant Ndlangamandla said he was still an active IFP member. “At this point I know nothing about the party’s decision. I will give my comment when it calls me to the right platform where we can discuss the matter.”
He said a secret ballot system had been used to vote for office bearers.
“I have no idea how the IFP leaders found out which party we voted for,” he said.
Masondo insisted her position cannot be announced vacant while she hasn’t received a formal letter from the party’s head office.
“Once I have signed that letter I will know I have been dismissed. I haven’t heard anything from our provincial leaders.”
IFP deputy national spokesman Joshua Mazibuko said the party was going to deal decisively with anyone who tried to go against commitments made to voters.
“The decision was taken after the two decided to vote with the ANC in Monday’s inaugural meeting of the eDumbe council.
“They defied the IFP resolution to work with the DA and EFF in the election of office bearers in all municipalities,” he said.
Both Ndlangamandla and Masondo were sworn in as councillors on Monday.
“This decision means the two can no longer represent the IFP at eDumbe. This should serve as a warning to other members who may go against party decisions,” said Mazibuko. He insisted their dismissal letters had already been sent: “But I can’t confirm if they have received them yet.”
IFP spokesman Albert Mncwango could only comment that the expelled councillors had not followed party instructions.
“Ndlangamandla was voted in as deputy mayor by the ANC and Masondo backed it.”
ANC spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli confirmed that Ndlangamandla sided with the ANC and agreed to take the deputy mayor position. “He was among our members who voted for the mayor. It showed he had faith in us. I heard nothing about the second councillor and her role in the process,” he said.