Where the facts about the IFP come from

The IFP is on the IEC list in 139 of 257 councils. It is in every council in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. It is in 7 of the 8 metros, all but Nelson Mandela Bay. It is also in some councils in the other provinces.

Put local jobs first and keep funding and supporting small businesses. Make sure people have water, cut water losses and fix leaks and burst pipes. Repair council roads, bridges and stormwater systems, and fix streetlights. Send reports of corruption, fraud and tender rigging quickly to be investigated and acted on.

Water: The IFP promises that councils it runs will ensure access to water, cut water losses and fix leaks and burst pipes. Water losses are water that leaks or is lost on its way to homes. A burst pipe is a pipe that has broken open. In its own words: “IFP municipalities will ensure access to water, reduce water losses, repair leaks and burst pipes”

Electricity and power cuts: The IFP promises that councils it runs will look after their power networks and repair streetlights. A power network is the cables, poles and equipment that carry electricity to homes and businesses. In its own words: “IFP municipalities will maintain municipal electricity distribution infrastructure and repair streetlights”

Rubbish: The IFP promises that councils it runs will collect rubbish often. It also promises to improve the sites where waste is taken. In its own words: “provide regular refuse collection and improve the management of public spaces and waste-disposal facilities”

Toilets and sewage: The IFP promises that councils it runs will look after wastewater treatment systems. Wastewater is used water, such as water from toilets and sinks. A treatment system is a plant that cleans it. In its own words: “IFP municipalities will maintain wastewater treatment systems”

Roads: The IFP promises that councils it runs will repair council roads, bridges and stormwater systems. Stormwater systems are the drains and channels that carry rain away from streets. The IFP describes these roads, bridges and drains as "deteriorating", which means getting worse. In its own words: “IFP municipalities will repair deteriorating municipal roads, bridges and stormwater systems”

Building houses: The IFP promises to work on housing backlogs. These are the people still waiting for homes. It also promises to support the redevelopment of hostels. In its own words: “address housing backlogs, support the redevelopment of hostels”

Informal settlements: The IFP promises to support formalising informal settlements. This means they would become official areas, laid out to a plan. In its own words: “and the formalisation of informal settlements”

Local jobs: The IFP promises that local governments will put local jobs first. It says they must become economic hubs, which are places where a lot of business and trade happens. In its own words: “Local governments must become dynamic economic hubs that prioritise local employment”

Business and growth: The IFP promises that councils it runs will keep funding and supporting small businesses. Small-business funding and support means money and other help for small firms. In its own words: “IFP municipalities will continue to prioritise small-business funding and support”

Corruption: The IFP promises that accusations of corruption, fraud and tender rigging will be passed on quickly. They would then be looked into and acted on. In its own words: “will be referred for prompt investigation and appropriate action”

Wasteful spending: The IFP promises that councils it runs will use the law to try to get back lost money. This is money lost through misconduct, negligence or unlawful choices. In its own words: “IFP municipalities will pursue the lawful recovery of losses caused by misconduct, negligence or unlawful decisions.”

Budgets: The IFP promises to publish municipal budgets, tenders and spending reports. A tender is when a council asks firms to bid for paid work. Spending reports show what the council spent its money on. In its own words: “Budgets, tenders, expenditure reports, service delivery standards and performance results will be published”

City of Johannesburg: Part of the group of parties that runs the council. Daily Maverick lists the IFP as part of the ANC-led coalition in the city. The IFP's Mlungisi Mabaso is the mayoral committee member for Human Settlements (housing), according to EWN in May 2026. That is the councillor on the mayor's team who runs housing. He is also the IFP's mayoral candidate.

eThekwini: Our sources do not make this clear. In July 2024 the IFP, ANC, DA and NFP extended their working arrangement in the province to eThekwini, The Mercury reported. In September 2024 the DA turned down the ANC's offer of posts and said it would stay in opposition. In October 2026 the IFP's mayoral candidate said the DA still holds three executive committee seats. In March 2025 an IFP councillor said the IFP held one seat on the executive committee. That is the group of councillors who help run the council. IOL reported that the IFP chaired the Trading Services committee. No source from 2025-2026 names a formal coalition agreement.

City of Tshwane: Has seats, but is not in the group that runs the council. Sources name the governing coalition as the ANC, EFF and ActionSA. The IFP is not part of it. The IFP won 1 seat in 2021.

City of Ekurhuleni: Our sources do not make this clear. In May 2026 Daily Maverick described an ANC-led minority coalition (one with fewer than half the seats) that "includes" the PA and NFP. It did not give a full list. No source we opened says whether the IFP is in it or not. The IFP won 3 seats in 2021.

City of Cape Town: Has no seats there. Won no seats in 2021.

Nelson Mandela Bay: Has no seats there. Won no seats in 2021.

Buffalo City: Has no seats there. Won no seats in 2021.

Mangaung: Has no seats there. Won no seats in 2021.

A coalition runs uMhlathuze. It is made up of the IFP, DA, ACDP, NFP and VF Plus. The IFP's Xolani Ngwezi is mayor. The parties formed this IFP-led coalition in 2021. Deputy mayor Christo Botha of the DA died in May 2026. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report lists uMhlathuze among 23 councils with a clean audit for five or more years in a row. Its run is 6 years. A clean audit means the Auditor-General found no serious problems.

In November 2024 the IFP's Sikhumbuzo Dlamini was elected mayor of King Cetshwayo District. He replaced Thamsanqa Ntuli of the IFP, who became Premier. In June 2026 The Witness described three councils in that district as governed by the IFP. They are Nkandla, uMlalazi and uMhlathuze. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report lists King Cetshwayo District among 23 councils with a clean audit for five or more years in a row. Its run is 5 years.

In Nongoma the IFP's Mbekezeli Zondo became mayor in July 2025, after a vote of no confidence (a council vote to remove a leader). The deputy mayor was from the EFF. A by-election (a vote to fill one empty ward seat) in March 2026 gave the IFP an outright majority, with 23 of 45 seats. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report lists Nongoma among KwaZulu-Natal councils whose audit outcome got worse over the council term. That financial year ended in June 2025, before the IFP took over.

The IFP runs AbaQulusi. After a by-election in March 2026, it holds 22 of 45 seats, which is one seat short of a majority. In June 2023 the IFP kept control with support from the DA and FF Plus. The Daily News then reported that Eric Mkhwanazi of the IFP was mayor. National Treasury's list of council contacts, updated October 2026, names SE Mkhwanazi as mayor. That list does not say which party a mayor belongs to. A community paper, Northern Natal News, named Mayor Sifiso Mkhwanazi in September 2025. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report lists AbaQulusi among KwaZulu-Natal councils whose audit outcome improved over the council term.

The IFP's Michael Khumalo was elected Zululand District mayor in June 2024, The Mercury reported. National Treasury's list of council contacts, updated October 2026, names Michael Bhekisipho Khumalo as mayor. That list does not say which party a mayor belongs to. We found no news report from 2025-2026.

In Newcastle, Mayor Xolani Dube was an IFP councillor, EWN reported in July 2024. National Treasury's list of council contacts, updated October 2026, names David Xolani Dube as mayor. That list does not say which party a mayor belongs to. The IFP became the largest party after by-elections. In July 2024 it had 23 of 67 seats. A community paper, Northern Natal News, referred to Mayor Xolani Dube in April 2025.

In uMkhanyakude District the IFP removed ANC mayor Siphile Mdaka in October 2025. The IFP's Comfort Khumalo became mayor. Then the IFP and ANC made a new arrangement. Khumalo resigned, and Mdaka returned as mayor in November 2025.

In March 2025 the IFP removed its own mayor of uMzinyathi District, Petros Ngubane. Deputy mayor Thembisile Mchunu took over. The same report says the IFP removed its AmaJuba District mayor in December 2024.

The IFP leads Jozini. In May 2025 the IFP recalled mayor Mfananaye Mathe, which means it told him to step down. It also made changes to the executive committee, the group of councillors who help run the council.

In uPhongolo an IFP mayor was still in office in June 2026. The council elected the ANC's Celiwe Nxumalo as speaker by 18 votes to 10. The speaker is the councillor who runs council meetings. She won with votes from IFP rebels, meaning IFP councillors who broke with their party. Reports said the IFP was preparing to expel six ward councillors.

The IFP leads Endumeni, with Mcebo Mkhize as mayor. The council has 13 seats. The IFP has 5, the ANC 5, the DA 2 and the ABC 1. The council did not approve its 2026/27 budget by 30 June. It also missed the province's later deadline of 31 July 2026. The council was not closed down early. Instead, in September 2026 the province's local government department (KZN CoGTA) used Section 154 to send in a technical expert. We found no later report that the budget was approved.

In 2021 the IFP won an outright majority (more than half the seats) in these councils, according to the IEC seat reports. They are Big Five Hlabisa, Jozini, Msinga, Nkandla, Nquthu, Ulundi, uMfolozi, uMlalazi and uPhongolo.

The IFP told the IEC about 3 donations worth R514 886, from July 2025 to June 2026.

Gifts over R100 000 from one donor, named in the reports: R38 553 790. Smaller gifts, R100 000 or less from one donor (names not published): R0. Membership fees and levies: R23 845 707. From the Political Representatives Fund: R21 375 840. From Parliament and provincial legislatures: R69 416 508.

October to December 2025. The IEC said: “The IFP declared a single in-kind donation valued at R 158 329.56, also from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) NPC. The donation covered costs associated with a workshop to support the training of party representatives in national, provincial and local government structures.”

October to December 2025. In the IEC's statement, "the same donor" is Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) NPC. The IEC said: “Similarly to the case of BOSA, cumulative donations from the same donor exceeded the reporting threshold during the third quarter, requiring disclosure.”

July to September 2025. The IEC said: “Two disclosures, ActionSA and Democratic Alliance (DA) were compliant while the other two, African National Congress and Inkatha Freedom Party are deemed not compliant.”

July to September 2025. The IEC said: “The IFP declared two in-kind donations. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung NPC provided support valued at R169,830.00 for workshop-related accommodation and conference expenses. The second donation was received from an entity known as the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which contributed R186,726.00 toward a volunteer engagement and branch structure development workshop. The combined total is therefore R356,556.00.”

July to September 2025. The IEC said: “The Westminster Foundation for Democracy donation requires further consideration as it appears that it may be a foreign, state-related entity. The nature of this donating entity is currently under review and the party has been afforded an opportunity to make a representation in terms of section 15 of the Act.”

N M Hadebe, an IFP MP, said this in a budget debate, where MPs discuss the foreign affairs department's money. The IFP says South Africa should not take sides between world powers, but must still speak up when people suffer. A two-state solution means Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side. The IFP wants DIRCO, the foreign affairs department, to keep backing this and to speak against attacks on ordinary people. In its own words: “We urge Dirco to stand firm on the two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict, grounded in international law, and to unequivocally condemn all forms of violence against civilians.”

M A Mncwango, an IFP MP, said this in a debate in Parliament on peoples' right to choose how they are governed. This right is called self-determination, and the IFP says every people should have it. For Israel and Palestine, the IFP wants two separate countries side by side. It says both peoples should rule themselves within safe borders. The speech does not name a step it wants the government to take. In its own words: “the IFP stands firm in its belief that a Two-State solution is essential to achieving peace and justice in the region”

M A Mncwango, an IFP MP, said this in a debate in Parliament. MPs were discussing a report on a visit to China by a group of MPs. Investment means money from China put into businesses here. Mncwango says South Africa has so many people without work that investment from any country helps. His time ran out before he said what the IFP wants the government to do. In its own words: “we welcome the investment by China which has actually resulted in the creation of over 400 000 jobs.”

M A Mncwango, an IFP MP, said this in a debate in Parliament on minority groups abroad. Self-determination means a people's right to choose how they are governed. In the same debate, an ANC MP said South Africa counts Taiwan as part of China. Taiwan and Tibet are places China says belong to it. Western Sahara is a disputed territory in north-west Africa. The IFP says this right must apply to every people, not only some. The speech does not say what the IFP wants the government to do about these places. In its own words: “we extend our support for the self-determination of the people of Taiwan, Tibet, Western Sahara”

The Deputy Minister of Transport spoke for the IFP in this debate in Parliament. The United States had stopped its aid to South Africa, including money for HIV care. The IFP says the US is still a key trading partner for South Africa. So it wants the government to handle this through careful talks with the US, to protect trade. In the long run, it wants South Africa to need less help from other countries. In its own words: “The IFP supports engagements on a well-reasoned diplomatic approach, which is necessary to preserve our economic relationship.”

A K Ngobese, an IFP MP, said this in a debate in Parliament about Venezuela. Its president and his wife had been arrested after a US military operation there. The IFP wants the UN Security Council, the United Nations body for war and peace, to deal with it. It says every country's right to run itself must be respected, even when people doubt its leaders. But it warns that powerful countries can block the council with a veto. In its own words: “The IFP supports our government's position to call on UN Security Council, the body that mandated humanitarian international peace and security to urgently convene and address this situation.”

All 11 IFP MPs present voted against asking the government to close Israel's embassy and cut ties. The motion passed, 248 votes to 91. The IFP said it still wants two states. In its own words: “We would like to say that we still support a two-state solution, and we feel that we should not play ourselves out of this game, as South Africa.”

IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa said cutting ties with Israel would stop South Africa helping peace talks. He asked Israel to hold back and talk. He condemned violence against civilians on both sides. In its own words: “As the IFP, we have stated in this House, and today, we reiterate that we do not believe that cutting diplomatic ties with Israel is the best cause of action as relates to the current conflict between Israel and Palestine.”

IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa asked President Ramaphosa in Parliament to stop calling Russia's attack on Ukraine "a conflict or a military operation". In its own words: “is the President prepared to move away from the mystic terminology of calling this a conflict or a military operation and call it what it is”

Daily Maverick reported that IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa said South Africa had failed to act on Russia's war in Ukraine. In its own words: “IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa and UDM Chief Whip Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, however, said South Africa had failed to act.”

The IFP told the IEC about 1 donation from WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY. It was worth R186 726. It falls in the quarter 2025-Q3. WFD (Westminster Foundation for Democracy) says it is a UK public body. It says the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sponsors it. It says the FCDO gives it most of its money. It says a board runs it. The board has MPs from the main UK political parties. It also has independent experts. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, or WFD, is a UK government body. In 2025-26 the UK foreign ministry gave it £8.5 million in core funding, and £5.23 million more for other projects, its accounts say. WFD passes some of this money to UK parties for work abroad. Britain's Conservative Party uses it to train the IFP. WFD also ran a women's leadership summit with the Africa Liberal Network, whose members include the DA. So this gift is UK government money. It reached the IFP through a training programme that Britain's Conservative Party runs with WFD money. WFD says the IFP set up a broadcasting suite after this training. The law bans party money from foreign governments and their agencies. The IEC said WFD "may be a foreign, state-related entity" and asked the IFP to respond. We found no final IEC decision.

The IFP told the IEC about 5 donations from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, from July 2023 to December 2025. All of them were goods or services, not money. In August 2024, the IEC said BOSA received a donation "from a German foundation known as Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) NPC". The IEC counted it as a foreign donation. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, or KAS, is a German foundation. The IEC calls it "a German foundation known as Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) NPC". It pays for workshops and training for two South African parties, the IFP and BOSA. KAS also runs a scholarship with SAIIA, the South African Institute of International Affairs, a think tank. In 2017 a DA MP told a Parliament committee that all German foundations' money for South African parties "came from the Bundestag", Germany's parliament. That is in notes of the meeting by PMG, a group that publishes Parliament's records. So a German foundation pays for some of the IFP's training and workshops. The same foundation also gives this kind of help to BOSA. The law lets foreign bodies give only for training or policy work. The IEC said this money paid for workshops and training. In 2017 the IFP told a Parliament committee it supported parties getting gifts of goods or services from foreign foundations.

South African parties may not take money from foreign governments. They may take money from foreign organisations only to train members or develop policy. This is limited to R5 million a year.

The IDU lists the IFP as an "Observer Member". The International Democracy Union is a group of centre-right parties from many countries, formed in 1983. Its website gives its office as Munich, in Germany. So the IFP sits in a world group of centre-right parties. The IDU lists the IFP as an "Observer Member".

Singh, Mr. Narend. Description: COFFEE | Value: R100 | Source: VIETNAM AMBASSODOR

Singh, Mr. Narend. Description: TEA COMBO PACKAGE | Value: R800 | Source: VIETNAM DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

Singh, Mr. Narend. Description: VIETNAM FLUTE | Value: R500 | Source: PRIME MINISTER OF SOCIALIST OF VIETNAM

Singh, Mr. Narend. Description: SILK TIE , COFFEE , PEN HOLDER | Value: 300 | Source: VIETNAM EMBASSY , BILATERAL MEETING

Govender, Mr. Poobalan (NCOP). Source of Sponsorship: Consulate General, Peoples Republic of China, Cape Town | Description and Purpose of the Sponsorship: 30 Laptops as a donation to public schools | Duration of Sponsorship: Once Off

Hlengwa, Mr. Mkhuleko. Description: Advent Calendar and Wine 2025 Shiraz | Value: R180.00 | Source: Chinese Embassy

Singh, Mr. Narend. Description: WINE BOTTLE , LINDOR , 200G ASSORTED CHOCOLATE | Value: R1000 | Source: CHINA EMBASSY

Govender, Mr. Poobalan (NCOP). Name of Sponsor: Speaker of Upper House, Parliament of India | Description of Journey: Air Fare, Accommodation and ground transport | Purpose of Travel: Conference

Govender, Mr. Poobalan (NCOP). Description: Ornament | Value: Unknown | Source: Speaker of Parliament of India

Hlengwa, Mr. Mkhuleko. Description: Sand based Art | Value: Unknown | Source: Algerian Embassy

Majozi, Ms. Zandile. Description: 1 x Box Anthony Berg royal selection chocolate 1 x Bottle of Hennessy vs 750ml 1 x Issey Miyake cologne 1x Azercay traditional Azerbaijan tea 1x Kolagayim 100% silk scarf | Value: R323.48+ R539+ R2490+ R1191.07+unknown = R4543,55 | Source: Dr Huseyn Ramli - High Commission of Azerbajian

Singh, Mr. Narend. Description: COFFEE | Value: R250 | Source: COLUMBIA DEPUTY MINISTER

Hlengwa, Mr. Mkhuleko. Name of Sponsor: Democratic Union of Africa | Description of Journey: Flights, Ground Transport and Accommodation. | Purpose of Travel: Party Political Represenative at the Democratic Union of Africa Forum in Kenya

Singh, Mr. Narend. Source of Sponsorship: UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT (6TH BIOFIN CONFERENCE) | Description and Purpose of the Sponsorship: FLIGHTS AND ACCOMODATION: REPRESENTING GOVERNMENT AT THE CONFERENCE | Duration of Sponsorship: 06-09 MAY 2025