IFP NEC: PRESIDENT ZUMA PROMOTES CORRUPTION

The IFP has condemned President Jacob Zuma for promoting corruption by urging businesses to support the ANC for personal gain.

According to media reports, the ANC President - addressing the ANC's 101st Gala Dinner in Durban on Friday night - told businesspeople that they must support the ANC if they want their businesses' to multiply.

In a statement issued after the IFP's National Executive Committee (NEC) which met today in Durban, IFP Deputy National Spokesperson Joshua Mazibuko said:

"The NEC of the IFP which met today in Durban was appalled to learn of the statement attributed to President Jacob Zuma which he reportedly made at the ANC's 101st Anniversary this past weekend where he told businesspeople that if they 'become a member (and) if you're a businessman, your business will multiply'.

"It is shameful for the President of South Africa to make such a statement which amounts encouraging corruption, at a time when South Africa is plagued by this curse. Simply put, the President was telling businesspeople that the only way in which they could guarantee business opportunities and prosperity in this country is by joining the ANC. It is clear that the ANC is no longer about serving the country. Instead, all unscrupulous businesspeople whose mission is solely self-enrichment will now definitely rush to swell the ranks of the ANC.

"The IFP calls on the business community in this country not to be party to any program which promotes corruption. In addition we call on the ANC to distance itself from this unfortunate statement or else admit that they are paying lip service to the fight against corruption, which threatens to sink our country."

Statement issued by M. Joshua Mazibuko, IFP Deputy National Spokesperson, January 14 2013

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