25th November 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has accused the Animal Rights Association of being biased in their campaign to stop the bare-handed killing of a bull at the Zulu First-fruits Ceremony, scheduled for December 5. The party said this body has never raised a voice of protest against the painful manner in which fish are almost daily hooked out of the water by fishermen, which, according to the IFP is painful and torturous. In the Motion he tabled before the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Pietermaritzburg today, Mr. Blessed Gwala, IFP MPL stated that they find it strange that this organization has chosen to make a public noise about this custom when they did not approach the King respectfully long before the season for this ceremony arrived. In addition Gwala said it is strange that the same organization has never raised a voice against a similar Spanish practice where they engage in a game of teasing a bull until it dies.

Mr. Gwala further said:

"We applaud the King's Representatives who refused to attend a meeting with these people whose objective was apparently to twist their arms to abandon our customs.  

"The whole approach of these so-called activists in our view is intended to disdainfully depict His Majesty and the Zulu nation as people who are still trapped in darkness." 

Gwala continued: "If they resort to being confrontational, instead of approaching the issue through the proper channels and observing protocol, then we are ready to meet them at their game."
 

For Further Information:
Mr. Blessed Gwala IFP MPL
078 303 0010