21 November 2007

The IFP has long objected to the way the ANC-controlled provincial government fails to consult with IFP-run municipalities ahead of all shared activities – from festive functions to developmental projects. 

“Our criticism was insufficient. The truth is that Premier Ndebele ignores the province’s local government as a whole, with no regard for its political affiliation,” said Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu Natal Dr Lionel Mtshali. 

Lately, the ANC has been increasingly vocal in Parliament about a “strong local government”. The strong local government argument was even used in the debate about the 13th Constitutional Amendment Bill which relegates Matatiele into the Eastern Cape against the wishes of its residents. 

“The ANC is determined to throw Matatiele to the wolves in the Eastern Cape, somehow hoping that a strong local government will arrest the inevitable decline in service delivery in the much poorer province,” said Dr Mtshali. 

It therefore comes as a surprise to the IFP that such a staunch advocate of a strong local government as the ANC-controlled provincial government would ignore both ANC- and IFP-run local government at every turn. 

“The Official Opposition notes with concern the resolution passed by the ANC eThekwini regional council which reveals a breakdown of communication and co-operation between the party and the individuals deployed to the provincial government, with a particular reference to the Premier,” said Dr Mtshali. 

The IFP quotes the ANC’s eThekwini Secretary-General John Mchunu’s concern that “the office of the Premier goes to areas without consulting the municipality and the locals”  to prove its point. The Official Opposition will ask a parliamentary question regarding the protocol that governs communication between the Premier and municipalities and the reasons why it is being ignored. 

The IFP maintains that the Premier’s unhelpful attitude towards the local government in KwaZulu Natal does not only contradict his own rhetoric, but is also in stark contrast to the close co-operation between the IFP-run provincial government and municipalities between 1994 and 2004. 

“With the welfare of the people of KwaZulu Natal foremost on our minds, we worked very closely with the province’s local government without any thought to its political affiliation,” said Dr Mtshali.

 Contact: Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902