3rd March 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has taken note of statements made by the Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, in the media recently stating that expats who send money back home are welcome to vote, because they can travel back to South Africa to cast their vote.

We find these statements by the Minister laughable, ill-informed and out of touch with ordinary South Africans. At approximately R6000 for a return ticket from Johannesburg to London and R10000 for a return from Johannesburg to Sydney or New York, it is really unthinkable to suggest that South African living abroad should be expected to pay such an exorbitant price to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

We know that the country is moving towards an economic, social and political crisis, out of which it will be able to re-emerge only with the patriotic contribution of all the South Africans of goodwill, whether residing in South Africa or abroad. We must bind the South African nation together, including our compatriots who either out of need or choice have moved abroad.

It is unconstitutional, unfair and unpatriotic to exclude any South African citizen from the electoral process at this dramatic juncture in our history.

Suggesting that South Africans abroad should travel thousands of kilometres to cast their vote, is really illogical and absurd.

Contact:
Inka Mars                   083 303 6037 or
Liezl van der Merwe,    083 611 7470.