5th November 2009

The Official Opposition in KwaZulu-Natal, iNkatha Freedom Party, has reacted to the Media Statement issued today by Premier Zweli Mkhize where he made a call to leaders of political parties to support Government's Program of Action. Commenting on the Premier's call, the Leader of the Official Opposition, Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi stated:

"As Leader of the Official Opposition, it behoves me to react to Premier Mkhize'call he made today for support of the Program of Action of his government. Dr Mkhize's statement deals with three subjects:

Partnership for the Fight against HIV and AIDS;
Provincial Government Act on uMngeni Municipality; and
The Turn-around Strategy for the Royal Household.

"Partnership for the Fight against HIV and AIDS. 
As history will tell, the IFP has always been committed to the war against HIV and AIDS. When we were governing this Province, we took the national government to court over this issue - not because we were engaged in political gimmicks. Therefore the Premier can count on our full support on the fight against the pandemic.    

"However, our commitment is primarily in principle as we still have to look critically at the statement the Premier has issued. But even though one has had a cursory look at the statement, one has come to notice that it is silent on the matter of abstention from sex, which in the IFP's view, is one of the critical elements of the strategy against HIV-AIDS.

Secondly, I have noticed that, while the Premier has touched on circumcision, he decided to be silent on virginity-testing, a matter that has been the subject of much debate in this Province and which we believe has a contribution.

"Again as the IFP we would like to caution that in most cases, useful and beneficial government programs get spoilt by the interference of party-political interests which turn these programs into political party driven initiatives which then tend to leave out those seen as outsiders."   

On the Provincial Government Act on uMngeni Municipality, Dr Buthelezi stated:

"We fully support and applaud the Premier's move against the uMngeni Municipality and the results of such a move. As a party committed to clean government and to the service of the people, we will always cooperate with government in efforts to eradicate all forms of corruption and maladministration wherever they rear their ugly heads. In addition we support all programs to empower our municipalities."

Commenting on the Turn-around Strategy for the Royal Household, Buthelezi stated that the IFP's position is well-known that they are not in favour of the disbandment of the Department of the Royal Household in favour of the Trust. However, he continued, "We are prepared to work with government to see that their initiative is reaping the desired fruits. We fully agree too that the Department of the Royal Household must operate within the confines of the PFMA.

"Having said that, we wish to caution however that government must always ensure that issues around the Royal Family are handled with the dignity and care they deserve. In our view this Department is dealing with unique issues and circumstances which need cool heads whose mission is to enhance the Monarchy rather than destroy it.

"We are disturbed to see that the Board appointed to oversee the Trust seems to reflect the preponderance of a particular political school of thought. And one glaring shortcoming in the composition of the Board is the minuscule representation of the traditional leadership. We wonder if the House of Traditional Leaders was consulted in so far as the composition is concerned and whether they advised that one iNkosi is enough representation in the Trust."

Concluding his comments, Dr Buthelezi stated that, in the same spirit of calling for cooperation from political parties, he hopes that the Premier will find time to engage the Official Opposition in discussions to iron out some misgivings and divergent outlooks they may have.

For Further Information:

Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi MPL

Leader: KZN Official Opposition                 082 516 0156