IFP Rejects Statement by Deputy Justice Minister

IFP MEDIA STATEMENT BY:
MR PETER SMITH MP

16 May 2007

The IFP rejects the statement by Deputy Justice Minister Johnny de Lange in the National Assembly on 16 May that government will be reintroducing two unconstitutional bills to Cabinet very shortly, and is very concerned that the people of Matatiele, who are resisting incorporation into the Eastern Cape, will be treated unfairly yet again.

As far as De Lange was concerned, irrespective of the fact that the Constitutional Court had rejected both the amendment to the Constitution and the statute providing for the re-determination of provincial boundaries, the same bills would be reintroduced to Parliament despite the flawed process which saw the Court rejecting them in the first place.

"This contemptuous approach to 'consultation' smacks of the same arrogance that resulted in the Matatiele community being ignored last year, and suggests their concerns will be ignored yet again", said Peter Smith, IFP spokesperson on constitutional affairs. "In our view, the government should be introducing amended bills to reflect the genuine objections of the Matatiele community." Matatiele, he said, should remain in KwaZulu Natal.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Peter Smith MP: 084 703 6009
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848