21 October 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has taken note of the resignation of the ANC's chief policy guru Joel Netshitenzhe, which the IFP believes is a clear indication that the ANC is now paving the way for a shift to the left.

"While we are not in the business of meddling in other parties' internal strife, we are however troubled when a valuable and loyal cadre of the ruling party suddenly decides to leave his job. Surely the question must be asked: what is going on behind the scenes in the tripartite alliance and is this proof that SACP and Cosatu are now firmly in charge of the ANC?" asked Velaphi Ndlovu, the IFP's Spokesperson on Labour.

Interestingly, Netshitenzhe recently warned that unless the constitution was defended "the whole edifice would collapse".

"Recently Netshitenzhe's voice has been heard in opposing the influence of the left-wing elements in the tripartite alliance and then without notice he resigns. The IFP smells a rat and we wonder whether the truth might be that he was forced to resign by the likes of Julius Malema, Cosatu and Co?," said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu said that paving the way for more left-leaning policies will be a disaster for South Africa's economy.

"The main obstacle to poverty reduction and accelerating growth is our high unemployment rate which currently stands at approximately 23.5 per cent. If the ruling party is moving away from business-friendly economic policy, it will negatively affect investors, which in turn will put South Africa's potential growth at risk and in turn it will hurt the poorest of the poor - the very people the Cosatu claims to protect," concluded Ndlovu.

Contact:
Velaphi Ndlovu           083 625 0803 or
Liezl van der Merwe    083 611 7470.