Quoting "sources inside the IFP" the article said a "distraught" Mangosuthu Buthelezi had announced he would step down as party president, saying last month's election results were a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
It said he had made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing a hastily convened national council meeting – to deal with his dismissal from Cabinet by President Thabo Mbeki and the appointment of his two juniors, Musa Zondi and Vincent Ngema, who later withdrew.
Zondi, who is the party's national spokesman, said in a statement that "on the contrary, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi at the last two sessions of the party's national council had committed himself to doing everything he can to ensure that the Party recovers and regains its strength".
He said the report in City Press, along with other publications,"emanate from enemies of the IFP who are bent on sowing dissension in the Party and they will not succeed in this foolish endeavour".
The City Press report went on to say: "An emotional Buthelezi is reported to have cried as he lashed out at his lieutenants, saying they had deceived him by not telling him the truth about people's feelings and need for a change in leadership." - Sapa
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