16th February 2009 

Barely a weekend passed between the Friday meeting of IFP President Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi with ANC President Mr Jacob Zuma where the two leaders appealed to their supporters for political tolerance and another violent incident in Pongola yesterday where the ANC and police harassed IFP Deputy Constituency Chairperson MJ "Rasta" Mncwango and his brother, the Mayor of Pongola B Mncwango. 

"The ANC which held election activities in Pongola's Ncotshane township on Sunday provoked an incident outside MJ Mncwango's house which involved a crowd of ANC supporters and the IFP Deputy Constituency Chairperson and his nephew," said IFP National Organiser Albert Mncwango.  

The IFP has condemned the conduct of the SAPS which intervened by storming MJ Mncwango's house using teargas and a dog unit without a search warrant. "Police high-handedness led to a further exchange that landed the Mncwango brothers in jail where they were assaulted," said Albert Mncwango. 

The IFP condemns both the ANC provocation and the police conduct. "On the surface, the ANC is appealing for political tolerance but on the ground it is provoking violent exchanges with IFP members with an active participation of the SAPS," said Albert Mncwango. 

Contact: Albert Mncwango
IFP National Organiser
083 448 4896