The IFP has slammed a shameless attempt by the ANC, who are "running scared of the electorate", to destabilise the province of KwaZulu-Natal in the narrow pursuit of their political objectives.

The National Spokesperson of the IFP, Reverend K.M Zondi, today revealed that the on Monday of this week, the provincial leader of the ANC, Mr Sb'u Ndebele, convened a secret meeting at a Durban hotel with smaller parties represented in the provincial legislature (the ACDP, JFP and the UDM).

Accompanying Mr Ndebele at the meeting were Mr Cyril Xada, ANC Chief Whip, Mrs Ina Cronje, and ANC Provincial Secretary, Mr Sitho Gcadafhe.

At this meeting the ANC tried to persuade the smaller parties to:

1. Pressurise the Premier, Dr L.PH.M Mtshali, to equalise the allocation of cabinet seats in favour of the ANC;
2. Assist the ANC's effort to block the Royal High Commission Bill during the legislative passage;
3. Assist the ANC in its bid to remove the Speaker of the Legislature, and,
4. Serve the Premier with a seven day notice to call an ANC/IFP meeting to address outstanding issues emanating from the 1999 June Agreement between the two parties.

At this meeting the ANC attempted to bribe representatives of the smaller parties by offering them positions and incentives, if they assisted the ANC in their Constitutional coup d'état to take control of the province.

Reverend Zondi said:

"The IFP has revealed this information so that the people of KwaZulu-Natal can see for themselves what lengths the ANC are willing to go in order to gain control over the province. These include destabilising what would otherwise be a smooth legislative programme, disrupting service delivery and shamelessly abusing the power of patronage."

"The very same ANC people, who accept positions in the IFP led government as ministers of state, plot and scheme in secret places to foment discord in the same administration they serve for their own sectional interests."

"The ANC's flagrant disregard for the democratic process is now clear for all to see: They will always put their own political interests - even it means bullying other parties into submission - before those of the people of KwaZulu-Natal."