6 April 2009

The IFP wishes to report a serious breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct by the ANC in Greytown on Sunday where ANC members prevented an IFP delegation from campaigning in the area, defying the police as well as their own party leadership. 

"Yesterday's showdown in Greytown is a serious breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct to which the ANC is a signatory. The incident shows, among other things, that the ANC leadership is unable to exercise control over its supporters," said IFP KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi. 

The IFP delegation led by Mayor of the Umzinyathi District MS Yengwa was denied passage through Nhlakanhle Township in Greytown by about 500 ANC members who blocked the road and stoned the IFP campaigners' cars. Some in the IFP delegation including the District Mayor sustained injuries. 

"The incident occurred in full view of the SAPS whose cadres failed to restore order and allow the IFP delegation to pass through Nhlakanhle Township," said Dr Buthelezi. 

ANC Regional Chairperson in the Bhambatha area MP Mavundla made an attempt to control the unruly ANC supporters but to no avail. "An impasse followed and lasted approximately two hours. Having been abandoned by the SAPS, the IFP delegation dispersed and found its way out of the ambush on its own," said Dr Buthelezi.     

The IFP is shocked by the attitude of the SAPS whose competence it is to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct which had been violated by the ANC in Greytown. "Having received no help from the SAPS, we have reported this matter to the IEC and we expect the commission to take exemplary action against the ANC," said Dr Buthelezi. 

The IFP cannot help but view the ANC as the common denominator in all reported incidents of politically motivated violence. "All incidents of political intolerance as reported by opposition parties point to an ANC presence. There is no electoral violence without the ANC," said Dr Buthelezi.
 

Contact:
Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi
082 516 0156