Ndebele Going Back on Yet Another Promise

February 01, 2007

The IFP has reacted with shock to the reports of mass removal of furniture from the Premier’s offices in Ulundi by members of his staff. It appears that the furniture is being transferred to schools.

“There has been no announcement or explanation. This move is most irregular and possibly illegal,” said Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu-Natal and former Premier Dr Lionel Mtshali.

The IFP recalls an occasion when Premier S’bu Ndebele had publicly pledged to retain his office at the former Legislative Assembly in Ulundi. “What we now see in practice is yet another instance of the Premier going back on his promises,” said Dr Mtshali.

According to the reports that reached the IFP leadership, the furniture in question is being removed by members of the Premier’s staff from Pietermaritzburg. The IFP also questions the rationale behind transferring office furniture to schools.

“This simply makes no sense. Many of our schools did not receive textbooks in the past school year. Is the Premier trying to make up for the missing textbooks by giving schools his office furniture?” * said Dr Mtshali.

The IFP will follow the matter through the appropriate parliamentary channels.

“We will demand a sensible justification for this peculiar move in Parliament from the Premier himself at his earliest convenience,” said Dr Mtshali.

Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902