IFP suspends MP Sanele Zondo following abuse allegations

Sanele Zondo

Cape Town — The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) suspended its Youth Brigade National Chairperson, Sanele Zondo after allegations of violence surfaced against his wife, Simenyiwe Dlomo-Zondo.

In a statement, the IFP noted that Dlomo-Zondo was located alive after Zondo had allegedly reported her missing. The party acted swiftly to deal with Zondo after allegations of abuse were issued against him.

“After days of dread and anxiety, the IFP noted with relief today (Wednesday) that Mrs Simenyiwe Dlomo-Zondo, the wife of IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB) national chairperson, Comrade Sanele Zondo has been located and is alive,” said the party’s national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said.

“However, in light of the serious revelations and allegations of abuse and gender-based violence (GBV), which have been levelled by Mrs Zondo, against comrade Zondo, the IFP wishes to (announce) that Sanele Zondo is placed on special leave from all party roles and responsibilities with immediate effect and until further notice,” he continued.

The party said all matters would be handled by the office of the National Secretary of the IFPYB, and Zondo is expected to attend to family and personal issues during this time. The IFP believes law enforcement agencies must deal with the allegations against Zondo and the NEC will respond to all media inquiries when necessary.

The IFP expressed commitment to women’s empowerment and pledged its support in the fight against GBV.

“We therefore take this matter extremely seriously and wish to assure the public of our commitment to deal with this matter with the urgent priority and attention it deserves and requires,” he concluded.

According to TimesLIVE, Dlomo-Zondo took to Instagram to say she was being abused by her husband and was shocked to find Zondo calling her a “beloved wife” on a Facebook post linked to her disappearance. She said he was misleading the people about her whereabouts.

Zondo had taken to Facebook and issued a statement pleading for information looking for his “missing wife”. He said he was not at home when his wife left to go shopping and could not say what she was wearing, but pleaded for information for her safe return.

“Her family and I are heartbroken, and we are asking the community to help us in any way possible. We are desperate for any information that could lead us to Simenyiwe,” he said.

According to IOL, Zondo has since claimed that the assault claims made by his wife were baseless.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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