Ndebele A Liability to Our Democratic System

February 15, 2007

The IFP is concerned about Premier Sibusiso Ndebele’s apparent inability to recognise constructive criticism from the Official Opposition and respond to it accordingly.

"The Premier has been known to hurl personal abuse at his critics to deflect attention from real issues. It has also become common practice for the Premier not to respond to debates or answer parliamentary questions", said Chairperson of the IFP caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament Inkosi Bonga Mdletshe and IFP Chief Whip Henry Combrinck in a joint statement.

The IFP views the Premier’s behaviour as an alarming trend in the province’s system of parliamentary democracy. "The head of government who behaves as the law unto himself is a liability to any democratic system", said the joint statement.

The IFP believes that Premier Ndebele’s incessant attempts to isolate the Leader of the Official Opposition from his party stem from the Premier’s fundamental misunderstanding of the respective roles of government and opposition.

"The Premier does not understand that Dr Lionel Mtshali’s criticism is not personal but rather an expression of the oversight role the Leader of the Official Opposition plays in our parliamentary system in respect to the executive", said the joint statement.

The IFP maintains that Premier Ndebele’s attacks on Dr Mtshali and his insinuations that Dr Mtshali does not represent the views of his party’s caucus are an old and increasingly tired tune.

"The IFP caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliament stands united behind its leader and Leader of the Official Opposition and there is nothing Premier Ndebele can do about it", said the joint statement.

Similarly, the IFP broadly appreciates the Premier’s frequent appeals to politicians in KwaZulu-Natal to look forward. "It is a great pity that the Premier expects us to look forward while he himself keeps on harping on past enmities whenever it suits him", said the joint statement.

Contact: Inkosi Bonga Mdletshe, 083 256 4902; or Henry Combrinck, 082576 7255