14 August 2009

The IFP has been disappointed by the coverage of its performance in this week’s municipal by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal as the media appeared far more interested in malicious reports of internal party rifts.

“The IFP is proud to have won four by-elections across KwaZulu-Natal which our detractors widely expected us to lose,” said IFP KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi MPL.

The IFP won municipal by-elections in Umvoti (Ward 9), Indaka (Ward 6), Okhamhlamba (Ward 1), and Nqutu (Ward 5).

“Ahead of the by-elections, the media congregated in large numbers in Greytown in particular, expecting the IFP to lose. When we did not, the journalists responded with deafening silence,” said Dr Buthelezi.

In stark contrast to their coverage of the municipal by-elections is the media’s interest in the non-story of the alleged dismissal of the IFP National Chairperson and Mayor of the Zululand District Municipality Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi.

“The media went ahead with this obvious falsehood despite the IFP’s denials of the substance of the story. Days after persistent media reports to the contrary, Mayor kaMagwaza-Msibi is still the party’s National Chairperson,” said Dr Buthelezi.

The IFP is disappointed by the media’s insistence on peddling a non-story at the expense of a genuine news development. “The electorate in these municipal wards has once again defied the wishful thinking in certain sections of the media which are determined to beat the ruling party’s drum at all cost,” said Dr Buthelezi.

Contact:
Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi,   082 516 0156