IFP plots way forward after dismal results

It is back to the drawing-board for the embattled IFP and its leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, following its poor showing in the local government elections.

The party's national council will meet today to discuss the way forward after the IFP managed to win only five municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, a province it once led comfortably.

The results show a sharp decline for the party, which had controlled 32 municipalities in the province until this week's poll.

The ANC now controls the majority of the province's 61 municipalities, with two, Nongoma and eDumbe, in the hands of the breakaway National Freedom Party (NFP).

The IFP has to weigh its options in about 17 municipalities that are hung, mostly owing to the NFP splitting the vote.

At issue is whether Buthelezi will be willing to work with the NFP, headed by his erstwhile protégée, Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, given their cooled relations.

It has been learnt that there are already behind-the-scenes discussions about the IFP working with its breakaway party amid indications that some NFP leaders are uneasy about the possibility of forming coalitions with the ANC.

An IFP insider suggested the party had no option but to reach out to Magwaza-Msibi.

"If she wants to be the mayor of Zululand, I'm sure we can compromise ... otherwise we'll only be left with five municipalities. The animosity between the two parties is not as bad as it has been described, because some of her party leaders have shown willingness to work with us," said the insider.

There are no immediate indications that Buthelezi, who has been IFP leader since its formation, plans to step down.

After his party's dismal performance, he kept to his residence in Mahlabathini, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

As the party licked its wounds following their thumping in traditional strongholds, other party leaders have come under the spotlight for not being visible during the election campaign.

"You can't blame (Buthelezi) for the outcome, because he was the only one seen campaigning. You have to ask yourself, 'Where were the other IFP leaders?' For the ANC, besides (President Jacob) Zuma, you saw (Fikile) Mbalula and Julius (Malema) also campaigning," said an insider.

The most painful loss for the IFP is that of traditional supporters in the Zululand district council.

The IFP previously controlled all five councils under Zululand, but now the party has only Ulundi, taking 28 seats compared with the NFP's 13 and the ANC's six.

The NFP recorded an outright win in eDumbe, taking eight of the 15 seats.

In Nongoma, the NFP also won more votes than the IFP, with 19 seats against 17, making the ANC the kingmaker with its six seats.

The ANC won most of the votes in Pongola and Abaqulusi, but will need to form a coalition to govern.

The IFP's decline came even after the cash-strapped party forked out hundreds of thousands of rands to UK-based consultants, who were meant to assist with a public relations strategy.