18 April 2009

The ANC has once again violated the Electoral Code of Conduct by circulating false information about the IFP's alleged intention to transfer the seat of KwaZulu Natal's capital from Pietermaritzburg to Ulundi.

"The ruling party has been circulating an elaborate pamphlet filled with lies about the IFP's alleged plan to move the capital city away from Pietermaritzburg. I wish to state categorically that the IFP has no such plan," said IFP KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi.

The ANC's pamphlet, titled 'Capital Coalition', states that the IFP "has openly declared that it supports Ulundi as the capital". It also alleges that IFP KwaZulu Natal Premier Candidate Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi "will put the matter back on the table after elections". The pamphlet further quotes the IFP's opposition to the ANC's plan to build a new parliamentary complex in Pietermaritzburg at an exorbitant cost to the taxpayer as evidence of the IFP's intention to transfer the seat of the capital city.

"These are deliberate lies intended to salvage the ANC's flagging political fortunes among voters in Pietermaritzburg. Everyone knows how, under Msunduzi Mayor Zanele Hlatshwayo and former uMgungundlovu Mayor Bongi Sithole, the ANC mismanaged Pietermaritzburg. The ANC fears that voters will hold them to account," said Dr Buthelezi.

The IFP has repeatedly stressed that its policy priorities for KwaZulu Natal are poverty, health, education, crime and the fight against corruption. "Our election manifesto is absolutely clear about these issues. Transfer of the provincial capital does not come into it," said Dr Buthelezi.

The IFP also wishes to reiterate its opposition to the new parliamentary complex in Pietermaritzburg on financial grounds. "We have consistently opposed this project because we rightly see it as another lucrative source of fraud and corruption for the ANC. The primary motivation behind this plan is to fill the pockets of ANC-affiliated contractors," said Dr Buthelezi.

The IFP has brought the ANC's pamphlet to the IEC's attention. "It is a clear violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct to which the ANC is a signatory. The code explicitly forbids spreading of false information during the election campaign," said Dr Buthelezi.

The IFP will also demand an investigation into the production of the pamphlet. "We have good reasons to suspect that it was financed by the taxpayers' money. It is no secret that the ruling party has been unashamedly using state resources to wage its costly election campaign," said Dr Buthelezi.

Contact:
Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi,             082 516 0156