IFP statement on recent political events
18 March 2024
Over the past few hours a narrative of violence and instability has been churned out by various quarters of the ANC.
This comes as no surprise as it is a well-orchestrated strategy by the ANC to counter the resurgence of the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the 29 May 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
This is a familiar tactic of the ANC when it becomes unsettled or rattled. The ANC is the common denominator, and instigator, in all instances of political violence both pre and post 1994 because deeply embedded in its DNA, the ANC thrives and mobilises on the basis of violence.
For the record, the IFP will not be drawn into the ANC sanctioned violence. We intend on reclaiming the Province of KwaZulu-Natal through the barrel of the ballot not through barrel of the gun.
The IFP remains committed to peaceful elections, that are free and fair and free from fear. We reject all and any attempts by the ANC to stir violence as a campaign tool in KwaZulu-Natal.
The allegations leveled against the IFP are without merit, without basis and devoid of any truth.
We call on all our members, leaders and supporters to remain focused on the 29th of May and not be distracted from our onward march to victory.
With regards to events from the past weekend:
1. We have noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa has said in the media that a meeting between the IFP and ANC will take place; a glaring and irresponsible indictment towards the IFP suggesting we must meet because the IFP is involved. As far we are concerned such meeting is not necessary as the IFP is not involved in any acts of violence.
2. If such a meeting were to take place, the ANC would first have to explain the nature of the meeting it held on 2 March 2024 wherein plans were hatched to disrupt IFP campaign activities.
3. It is in fact this meeting of 2 March 2024 that manufactured the violence that broke out on Saturday night.
4. The ANC statement released yesterday is dated 11 March 2024, precisely because the plan was to have the yesterday event on 10 March 2024 and release the statement of condemnation of their manufactured violence on 11 March 2024.
5. Siboniso Duma owes His Majesty King MisuZulu kaZwelithini, AmaKhosi and the AmaZulu Nation an apology for his utterly disgraceful and uncultured behavior.
6. The behavior we witnessed on Saturday at KwaCeza is indicative of the kind of resistance to relinquish power we will witness after 29 May 2024.
7. The KZN Provincial Government must explain to the South African public why ANC campaign t-shirts were distributed at a government event; and why government promotional material was ANC branded.
8. The less said about Mike Mabuyakhulu the better, as his violent defined anti-IFP behavior is well documented. So his cheap attempt to rear his ugly head comes as no surprise.
Issued by Mkhuleko Hlengwa, IFP National Spokesperson, 18 March 2024
