The National Spokesperson of the IFP, Revd Musa Zondi MP, has issued the following statement, in response to allegations by the KwaZulu-Natal ANC Leadership, relating to the internal affairs of other political parties on the Port Shepstone Council.

"The Inkatha Freedom Party is at a loss to understand why the ANC feels that it is appropriate to interfere in the internal affairs of the IFP. The suggestion that matters of conscience or human rights can arise out of the election of Officers of the Port Shepstone Council is ludicrous."

"The facts are quite simple, Councillors are elected on Party lines and expected by all Parties (including the ANC) to abide by the decisions made in Party Caucus."

"The law relating to municipal elections was piloted through Parliament by ANC Minister Sydney Mufamadi and is quite explicit about the relationship of councillors to the Party which nominated them. It clearly states that a Party has the right to withdraw its support from councillors who fail to fulfil the Party mandate."

"In common with all Parties, the IFP expects councillors to vote in accordance with the decisions of Party Caucus. If Councillors fail to vote for those candidates for office agreed on by the IFP Caucus, it is as a result not of conscience but of lack of discipline. Furthermore, such indiscipline is usually the result of being enticed by promises of positions by the same ANC which is trying to take a moral stance on this matter."

"Rather than meddle in the IFP's internal affairs, the ANC would better spend its time addressing its failure to deliver to the people, which cost it so dear in the local elections and led it to loose its majority on so many councils in KwaZulu-Natal."

For Further Information