At the beginning of this election campaign the IFP pledged and, during its course, repeatedly reiterated its commitment to free and fair 2006 local government elections.

"Sadly, many of our political opponents failed to commit to the rules of democratic game and resorted to violence," said IFP Deputy Chairperson and spokesperson on safety and security, Velaphi Ndlovu MP.

"The IFP mourns and pays tribute to all its candidates and supporters who have been intimidated, assaulted and even killed in defence of multi-party democracy in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in the run-up to the 2006 local government elections," said Ndlovu.

23 January 2006

The IFP condemned the numerous incidents of intimidation of its supporters in the Mafunze traditional area near Pietermaritzburg. Several homes in the area were raided by outsiders wearing SANDF uniforms. The intruders stole money from the residents while pretending to be searching for unlicensed firearms. The raids even claimed a casualty, 22-year old Mr Mthobisi Ndlovu who was a local resident. "The investigation has been carried out by the SAPS Pretoria and the IFP is still awaiting the names of the culprits involved in the murder of Mr Mthobisi Ndlovu," said Ndlovu.

25 January 2006

IFP Councillor and Ward 9 candidate at Ndwedwe, Mr Japan Luthuli, was assaulted by eight men who identified themselves as policemen searching for unlicensed firearms. On gaining entry to the house, the men attacked Mr Luthuli and his wife. Mr Luthuli was kicked, hit with batons and a rubber tube was used in an attempt to suffocate him. After the attack the "policemen" took Mr Luthuli to the Applesbosch hospital and threw him outside. Mr Luthuli had to crawl to hospital security to get assistance. "The police in Amanzimtoti were identified as perpetrators. The ICD is investigating the indicted individuals who were politically mandated to carry out this heinous crime," said Ndlovu.

1 February 2006

Speaker of KwaMaphumulo Municipality and IFP candidate in Ward 3, Mr BZ Ndlovu, was attacked at his home in the early hours of Wednesday, February 1. Mr Ndlovu managed to escape through a window of the house, but his wife and daughter were assaulted by these attackers who damaged furniture in the house, broke windows and stole R1 000 in church collections, which Mr Ndlovu kept for safekeeping as treasurer of the local church. The attackers told Mr Ndlovu and his family that they are from an opposition party and that if he was to be killed it would be to their benefit. The two men, who turned out to be Mr Ndlovu's neighbours, were later arrested by the police. "What followed was a miscarriage of justice in that the court sentenced the perpetrators to three months of imprisonment or, alternatively, a R3000 fine without hearing the victim and his wife and without compensating them for injuries, trauma and material damage," said Ndlovu.

18 February 2006

The IFP expressed shock at the killings of its supporters at Empangeni. Five people had been shot in the past month, the last of them on Friday 18 February. All five victims were employees of a bus service company owned by Dr Ziba Jiyane who leads the newly formed National Democratic Convention (Nadeco). The IFP found it interesting that Dr Jiyane, who had been campaigning in the area on the "revival of family values", did not show any interest in the murders in his own company.

20 February 2006

IFP Richmond Ward 6 candidate, Mr Mayboy V. Sithole, was shot in an attack at his shop by an unknown attacker who ran away after the incident. Nothing was stolen during the attack and the IFP suspected that the attack was politically motivated. Mr Sithole is at present in a critical condition in hospital and the IFP local leadership is working with the community to ensure that the electioneering process continues peacefully in the area.

21 February 2006

Nompumelelo Zubane, 18-year old daughter of Dumisani Zubane, IFP councilor and Ward 11 candidate at Maphumulo near kwaDukuza, was abducted from her father's home by armed men in a politically-motivated incident.

24 February 2006

The IFP will let the law take its course before it comments on this week's arrest of IFP Umtshezi mayoral candidate, Mr ML Shelembe. "We are, however, fully aware how much Mr Shelembe's opponents hate the IFP candidate and how they will do everything in their power to make him suffer," said Ndlovu.