The IFP has distanced itself from the ANC-led move by the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament to oppose the application to the Constitutional Court by the Matatiele community, which seeks to overturn its pending incorporation into the Eastern Cape. 

"The IFP has consistently opposed the incorporation of Matatiele into the Eastern Cape against the wishes of its residents. We are not part of the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament's move to oppose the Constitutional Court application by the Matatiele community," said Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament Henry Combrinck. 

The IFP has long argued that by ignoring the will of the Matatiele residents as expressed in the public hearings and submissions, the ANC has effectively turned its back on public participation in law-making, one of its trumpeted objectives. 

"In its deliberations in the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament on the merits of the case, the ruling party patently ignored as many as 8000 public petitions against the incorporation, which was eventually forced on the Matatiele community by the respective Constitutional Amendment," said Combrinck. 

The IFP is currently considering a number of options to throw its support behind the people of Matatiele in their quest for justice in the Constitutional Court. "One of the options is becoming friends of the court in the application by the Matatiele community," said Combrinck.  

The IFP also believes that the case against incorporation is now stronger than ever. "Public services across Matatiele are grinding to a halt. The planned incorporation into the Eastern Cape has all the makings of a socio-economic disaster for the region which would benefit far more from its continued association with KwaZulu Natal," said Combrinck.  

Contact:-
Henry Combrinck
082 576 7255