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Former KwaZulu-Natal IFP MPL Roman Liptak, who resigned from the party last week, has broken his silence, saying he left after he was accused of having a dim view of the partys disastrous prospects for the national and provincial elections next year.
Durban – Former KwaZulu-Natal IFP MPL Roman Liptak, who resigned from the party last week, has broken his silence, saying he left after he was accused of having a “dim view” of the party’s “disastrous” prospects for the national and provincial elections next year.
In a strongly worded statement to The Mercury, the former IFP finance spokesman said his position in the IFP had been difficult for a long time, and became “untenable” during the last few weeks before his resignation on May 31.
He said he was criticised for his less confrontational and more constructive approach, which, he felt, would be more appealing to the electorate.
Last week, IFP provincial leader Blessed Gwala announced that Liptak, Usha Roopnarain and MJ Mthethwa had resigned as MPLs.
Gwala said Mthethwa had resigned for health reasons, and dismissed suggestions that Liptak and Roopnarain were pressured into resigning.
Liptak told The Mercury that he tried “in vain” to steer the party towards issues of substance through the speeches he drafted for the leader of the official opposition and other leaders.
But these were “spurned in favour of cheap politicking and arguments that had been lost in the past, such as the IFP’s choice of Ulundi over Pietermaritzburg for KZN’s capital”.
“The IFP is not interested in finding solutions to the challenges faced by the poorest of the poor, whom it presumes to represent. It has done nothing to reverse the legacy of apartheid.
“I did my best to nudge the party forward, but the fossil wouldn’t budge. I could no longer be a member of such an organisation on moral grounds. I have no regrets in my decision to resign.”
The Mercury understands that Liptak was also accused of colluding with the ANC.
Gwala accused Liptak of lying and trying to “paint a gloomy picture” of the IFP.
“He didn’t even bother coming to us and resigning.
“We heard from the speaker, and then he sent his resignation through e-mail,” he said.
Roopnarain, who was the spokeswoman for health, had been asked to explain why she declined a national council position, apparently so that she could stay close to her family.
It is understood that she was given a letter instructing her to resign within a stipulated number of days.
Roopnarain said she would comment when she was ready.
Gwala said Roopnarain “did not have time for the IFP”, owing to her “other commitments”.
Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said elections were around the corner, and the resignations suggested all was not well in the IFP.
“Parties want good publicity around this time, so they can get votes. I suspect the three were forced to resign. The IFP must give a detailed explanation of the resignations.”
IFP deputy president Mzamo Buthelezi, national council member Petros Msimang, and women’s brigade chairwoman Thembeni Mthethwa have replaced the three in the KZN legislature.
The Mercury
