Media Witch Hunt Sanctioned by KZN Speaker

21 May 2007

The IFP is outraged by the situation where the media were informed about the pending disciplinary hearing for the Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu Natal before Dr Lionel Mtshali has been formally charged.

"This situation has all the appearances of a witch hunt," said IFP Chief Whip in the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament Henry Combrinck MPP.

The media, by their own admission, were informed by the Speaker of the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Parliament already last week that the disciplinary hearing would be underway this week while no communication has, to this day, been addressed to the Leader of the Official Opposition.

"The Leader of the Official Opposition is left with no option, but remain silent until he is formally charged. This leaves the door wide open for unbarred media speculation in the meantime. The witch hunt has been indirectly sanctioned by the Speaker," said Combrinck.

The IFP regards the grounds for the disciplinary hearing as highly controversial. "By delivering a motion, the ruling party did not like to hear, the Leader of the Official Opposition merely exercised his parliamentary right to speak out," said Combrinck.

The IFP has no doubt that the disciplinary hearing is intended to intimidate the Official Opposition into complacence and inaction. "This, as far as the IFP is concerned, is a vain hope on the part of the ruling party," said Combrinck.

Contact: Henry Combrinck, 082 576 7255