The IFP condemns forced relocation of public servants from provincial government offices in Ulundi to Pietermaritzburg.

"These forced relocations bring back unpleasant memories of the forced removals of residents under apartheid," said former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Lionel Mtshali MPP, who currently leads the IFP caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament.

The IFP wishes to expose the callousness behind the relocation scheme, which concerns even junior staff members and disregards personal circumstances of the individuals involved.

Dr Mtshali also said:

"The once-off relocation sum offered to the affected staff members cannot compensate for the sudden change of their working and living environment given the differences in rental and related costs in Ulundi and Pietermaritzburg.

"The forced relocations of public servants disrupt and undermine the staff morale which we in the IFP view as essential to the success of service delivery in the province."