5th February 2009  

In response to media enquiries Koos van der Merwe MP, Chief Whip of the Inkatha Freedom Party and spokesperson on Justice, has confirmed that the IFP will be participating in the on-going litigation aimed at challenging the constitutionality of the exclusion of South African residents abroad, from the next elections.

While Minister of Home Affairs, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, was outspoken in espousing the policy that all South Africans abroad should be able to vote, and also pointed out the irrationality of allowing prisoners to vote while South Africans who are abroad for temporary reasons such as study, temporary work or even mere leisure could not.

In spite of the responsibilities and privileges under the constitution, the procedure espoused by the then Minister Buthelezi was overruled by Cabinet. 

The IFP is now participating in this action, not because it hopes to gain any electoral benefit from it, as other parties may do, but as a matter of principle.

We know that the country is moving towards a severe 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.

Contact:
Koos van der Merwe, 082 444 4944 or
Liezl van der Merwe,  083 611 7470