16th February 2009 

This morning I - alongside the Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu Natal, Dr Lionel Mtshali and IFP spokesperson on health, Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi - held a press briefing about my party's rescue plan for KwaZulu Natal's crumbling public health sector.

The briefing was an elaboration on the health section of the IFP's election manifesto for KwaZulu Natal which was launched last Saturday in Durban and which serves as a blueprint for an IFP provincial government.

Part of my briefing was a pre-scheduled visit to the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi. I was most disappointed to receive a letter from the KwaZulu Natal Department of Health which granted me permission to visit the hospital but stipulated that I may not be accompanied by members of the media. 

This attempt by the provincial Department of Health to appear apolitical would be honourable if the same department did not routinely allow members of the provincial government to visit the facilities under its jurisdiction with the mass media in tow.

The outgoing KwaZulu Natal Premier JS Ndebele has consistently led by example by using his frequent visits to government departments as valuable photo opportunities and useful sites for political meetings.

If the Health Department's separate guidelines for visits by government and opposition officials do not represent double standards, then I do not know what does.

Sincerely,

Mayor VZ kaMagwaza-Msibi

IFP KwaZulu Natal Premier Candidate
IFP National Chairperson

Contact:
Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi,   082 804 7993; or
Roman Liptak,                   083 256 4902