ANC KZN RESPONDS TO IFP'S BASELESS ALLEGATIONS

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal wants to distance itself from the ongoing ugly labour dispute between Ilanga newspaper and its employees.

We have noted with severe concerns the spurious allegations made by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the Witness newspaper today (November 7, 2012). The IFP alleges that the ANC is fuelling the dispute with the sole purpose of taking over the newspaper.

The IFP, which claims to be an Ilanga newspaper shareholder, should understand that the ANC does not depend on newspapers for its survival. We have noticed though that the Ilanga newspaper seems to be one of the few pillars for the IFP, a party that is experiencing a serious dwindling of membership.

It is true that the Ilanga newspaper was founded in 1903 by the ANC's founding president, John Langalibalele Dube. We want to stress however that the ANC does not want to see any newspaper being controlled by a political party. The ANC strongly believes in the freedom of the media.

Whilst the ANC is not involved in the Ilanga labour dispute, we have however noted some elements that are very concerning especially the allegation that white and black employees are not treated the same. There is a serious allegation that white workers are given more privileges in comparison to those given to black employees.

If the allegations are true, it will mean that Ilanga newspaper is not only serving the interests of the IFP but also continues with the practices of the apartheid regime which saw white employees being given more privileges.

The ANC calls on the IFP and other shareholders to ensure that the labour dispute is resolved quickly and amicably.

Statement issued by Senzo Mkhize, ANC KwaZulu-Natal, November 7 2012

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