25 June 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party has rejected a report of an ANC invitation to the IFP to participate in a peace mission in the Greytown area. The IFP said this today when reacting to a news statement issued by the ANC that they have invited the IFP 'to a round-table discussion.' IFP Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and Deputy Provincial Chairperson, Mr. Blessed Gwala said:

"The statement issued by the ANC saying that they have invited the IFP 'to round-table discussion' in efforts to restore peace at uMvoti is unfair as it gives a warped impression that they, of their own volition, decided to invite us to the uMvoti peace efforts.

"What happened is that at the sitting of the Legislature, the Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced that he had appointed a team, consisting of two ANC MEC's, Mr. Bheki Cele and Mr. Willies Mchunu, to work on the peace mission at uMvoti. We, the IFP, objected to an exclusively ANC team because violence affects our members as well. It was as a result of our objections that the peace team was expanded to include two IFP MPL's Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi, the IFP's Provincial Secretary and Mr. Blessed Gwala.

"For the ANC to issue a statement which conveys the impression that they are the only ones who are concerned with peace, smacks of political dishonesty meant to cast the IFP in a bad light. Our commitment to peace and reconciliation is well documented."

For Further Information:

Mr. Blessed Gwala MPL

KZN IFP Deputy Chairperson:                     078 3030010