National Assembly: 29th January 2009

Madam Speaker,

As political parties we are about to fight an all important election, one that will determine the future character of this country, either as a vibrant multi-party democracy or as a stagnant one-party state. Our debate today therefore, is one of critical importance, as it goes to the heart of how people will vote in the next election and whether our elections will indeed, be free and fair.

A recurring theme among political parties and the media in recent months has been the critical issue of avoiding pre-election violence and acts of intimidation.

Most parties have made a commitment to non-violence, but it is clear that not all parties have done enough to ensure that supporters at the grassroots level adhere to this commitment.

The IFP and other parties have already asked what specific measures the Independent Electoral Commission will take to monitor and prevent political intimidation and violence in the run-up to the 2009 election. Our concerns have not yet been fully allayed. 

Madam Speaker,

We believe that the media also plays a very critical role in working towards ensuring peaceful elections.

Earlier this week the IFP had to defend itself against two false claims relating to political intolerance, which was broadcast on TV and published in various newspapers.

It was suggested that the murder of traditional leader, Inkosi Mbongeleni Zondi of KZN, had to do with him parting ways with the IFP to join the ANC. But in fact the truth is that Inkosi Zondi had no links with either the ANC or the IFP so the false claims, based on unjustified information, only served one purpose – to fuel political intolerance.

Furthermore, it had been claimed that the IFP had been attempting to disrupt preparations of other political party events and that as a party, we have never had to endure disruption by ANC supporters in our electioneering campaigns.

These claims too, were false.

The truth is that IFP's public meetings in KwaZulu Natal and elsewhere are routinely disrupted by rowdy ANC supporters. In fact many of our pre-elections events in KwaZulu Natal are never complete without disturbances and intimidation by local ANC supporters.

I must therefore warn today about half-truths and irresponsible political rhetoric because it can only work against our shared common vision of free and fair elections.

In his newsletter last month, our President, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, referred to the hostility surrounding the launch of the Congress of the People (Cope) which, in his view, demonstrated, that we still have far to go to place non-racialism and a genuine respect of diversity (including political choice) at the heart of our public discourse.

Just a few weeks ago, one our IFP youth brigade leaders, Mr Bonginkosi Dube, 27, was murdered. A member of the ANC has confessed that the murder was politically motivated.

Madam Speaker,

We can never let the dark days of political motivated killings return - ever again.

As a party we have always respected the right of other political parties to communicate their message and for the citizens of this country to exercise their constitutional right of free voluntary political association.

We therefore call on other political parties who will campaign in the watershed 2009 elections to campaign by the same electioneering principles of respect, honesty and integrity.

Without pointing fingers or apportioning blame – for we all share a responsibility to ensure that the elections are truly "free and fair" – the IFP calls upon all parties to act now against rogue elements in their membership.

Let us work together and affirm today that, as a country, we are committed to political tolerance and freedom of expression which must be the core principle of our democracy.

Lastly, I believe that as political leaders of various political parties we must send out a clear message today to those who do not adhere to the basic principles of democracy, free assembly and free speech – that they will be strictly disciplined and that they will face the full brunt of the law.

Let us act now.

I thank you.

Contact:

Narend Singh, 083 788 5954 or

Liezl van der Merwe, 083 611 7470.