The IFP calls for a referendum to be held in the Umzimkhulu and Matatiele territories which are on the point of changing hands between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

"The IFP questions the way the KwaZulu-Natal cabinet is handling the issue of cross-border municipalities," said IFP provincial spokesperson on local government, Inkosi Bonga Mdletshe MPP. "This is no matter for politicians to decide. It is the people in Umzimkhulu and Matatiele who will live with the changes and the consequences of exchanged municipalities."

In particular, the IFP questions the political legitimacy of decisions taken by a cabinet committee consisting of only ANC ministers. "The quality of decision making would be vastly improved by a multi-party committee," said Inkosi Mdletshe. "The final say, however, should be reserved for the people on the ground."

"We in the IFP advocate a referendum. We do not want the people to have only a say in the matter, we want them to have the last word. Referendum is our bottom line," said Inkosi Mdletshe.