Is the Minority Front selling out to the ANC?

MINORITY Front leader, Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, needs to come clean over whether she is delivering her party into the hands of the ANC following the death of her late husband, veteran KZN politican Amichand Rajbansi.

A recent media report has revealed that Vimm Ramdaas, a former municipal councillor from Ladysmith, has been sworn in as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal [legislature] and that she will now occupy the seat vacated by Mr Rajbansi.

Yet Ramdaas is a card-carrying ANC member - a fact confirmed by the Speaker of Emnambith Ladysmith municipality - who further claims that she has records of Ramdaas' application as an permanent member of the party, dated 5 July 2011. The Speaker also confirms that she has not received notice of resignation from Ramdaas. Mrs Rajbansi has meanwhile refuted the claims.  

So why the confusion? What does the Speaker have to gain by making these claims and what exactly is going on within the Minority Front? We all know about the in-fighting between its new leader and her councillors but this latest development is far more serious than internal party squabbling.

It signals the possibility that Thakur-Rajbansi may be considering her own personal long-term politcal options ahead of the interests of Minority Front followers. Not only will this bring an end to Mr Rajbansi's legacy, it would also be a slap in the face to loyal party supporters.

Statement issued by Sizwe Mchunu, MPP, DA KwaZulu-Natal leader, June 28 2012

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