Durban — The once-promising political future of the IFP Youth Brigade (IFPYB) chairperson and MP Sanele Zondo looks bleak amid the allegations of gender-based violence levelled by his wife, Simenyiwe MaDlomo-Zondo.
After days of public bickering between Zondo, 32, and his wife, MaDlomo-Zondo, 28, the IFP entered the fray and summarily placed Zondo on special leave following what party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa described as “serious revelations and allegations of abuse and gender-based violence”.
The party ordered that Zondo be placed on special leave from all party roles and responsibilities with immediate effect and until further notice. It added that all his youth brigade’s matters would be handled by the office of the national secretary of the IFPYB.
“During this period, Comrade Zondo is expected to attend to his personal and family matters. With regard to the allegations made by Mrs Zondo, the IFP believes that the relevant law enforcement agencies must deal with these allegations. The IFP NEC will respond to media inquiries and update the public as and when it is necessary,” said Hlengwa.
He added: “The IFP has always expressed its commitment, through its policies and manifestos, to true and meaningful women’s empowerment. We have pledged our support in the fight against gender-based violence.
“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.”
Zondo – born in Hluhluwe, northern KwaZulu-Natal – once served as an IFP councillor in the Big Five Hlabisa Local Municipality. His dedication to the party saw him being sworn in as the IFP MP in 2022 to fill the vacancy that was left by the death of Mthokozisi Nxumalo.
But now his future in the party hangs in the balance as some of its members, who were already gunning for him, want him expelled.
The influence and support he enjoyed in the IFP saw him being placed higher up on the IFP’s regional-to-national list during the May 29 elections and he was among the 17 IFP MPs in the National Assembly.
The unfolding drama that threatened to end Zondo’s thriving political career started when he reported on social media that his wife was “missing”.
However, MaDlomo-Zondo resurfaced and dramatically accused Zondo of beating her up after they argued. She claimed he physically abused her.
She also posted a picture of Zondo on Instagram with the caption: “You have made me a joke in your society,” then laid a charge against him, accusing him of gender-based violence and abuse.
Some insiders have told the Daily News that if Zondo was found guilty by a court of law, he would be expelled from the party.
“The allegations against him are damaging to him and also the party. The party will expel him if he is found guilty of gender-based violence,” said a senior party leader in KZN, who is not authorised to speak to the media.
After his wife pressed charges against him, Zondo retaliated by posting pictures online with blood streaming down his face, claiming MaDlomo-Zondo had beaten him.
He claimed that it was him who was being abused by MaDlomo-Zondo. He said he would allow the law enforcement authorities to investigate the matter, refusing to be drawn into commenting. Attempts to get a comment from MaDlomo-Zondo were unsuccessful.
The Youth Brigade said Zondo should be given space to address the allegations.
In a statement, the brigade said: “Given the sensitive nature of the situation, the IFP Youth Brigade respectfully requests that our national chairperson be given the personal space necessary to address the domestic and legal matters raised by Mrs Simenyiwe MaDlomo-Zondo.”
More than 14 401 assaults on female victims of GBV were reported between July, August and September, with 881 women murdered in the same period, according to crime statistics released earlier this year by former police minister Bheki Cele.
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