7 July 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has lambasted the eThekwini Municipality as obdurate and arrogant for pressing ahead with the closure of the Durban's Early Morning Market despite on-going negotiations. In today's news conference, the Municipality stated that it has issued notices to the stallholders informing them that their contracts will be terminated on the 31st July. IFP Spokesperson, Joshua Mazibuko said:

"We are shocked by the display of obduracy and arrogance evident in the ANC-led eThekwini Municipality's insistence on going ahead with the termination of the stallholders' contracts despite the fact that Premier Zweli Mkhize recently appointed a 3-MEC Committee to facilitate meaningful negotiations between the Municipality and the Traders.

"While we are unequivocally committed to any program meant to develop and improve the City's infrastructure and other services, as well as empower economically the eThekwini residents, we are vehemently opposed to the unilateral action by the Municipality.

"Once more, we call on the Municipality to cease all actions against the traders until negotiations have run their course. Or else we will have no option but to take to the streets to demonstrate our indignation."

For Further Information:

M. Joshua Mazibuko

eThekwini IFP Deputy Secretary and Spokesperson       072 927 0993