13 May 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has denounced in the strongest possible terms recent statements made by the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) threatening to render the Western Cape ungovernable if its Premier Helen Zille continues "insulting" newly elected President Jacob Zuma. 

"We would like to remind these MK veterans that the Western Cape does not belong to Premier Helen Zille, but it belongs to the people of South Africa. The IFP is therefore of the opinion that these irresponsible statements are not only a direct threat to the Democratic Alliance and its leader, but to the country as a whole," said Velaphi Ndlovu, the IFP's Safety and Security Spokesperson. 

The MKMVA's deputy secretary Ramatuku Maphutha is reported to have said that his association would mobilise soldiers in the Western Cape. 

"We believe that senseless political rhetoric should be avoided at all cost as it has the power to ignite violence throughout the country. The IFP therefore calls on the MK veterans to immediately and unconditionally retract these statements," concluded Ndlovu.
 

Contact:
Velaphi Ndlovu
083 625 0803
or Liezl van der Merwe
083 611 7470