28th July 2008

The Inkatha Freedom Party has strongly condemned yesterday's assault of its member and threats against residents of Tehuis Hostel, allegedly by ANC members at Tehuis Hostel, near uMlazi, Durban. In a statement issued today, by the eThekwini District of the IFP, Mr. Joshua Mazibuko: 

"According to reports we received, yesterday afternoon a mob of ANC supporters who were shouting that they did not want any IFP presence at the ANC-dominated hostel, attacked and assaulted Comrade Mduduzi Buthelezi just because he was wearing an IFP T-shirt. In addition, he was evicted from the same hostel.  

"Comrade Themba Nzimande and I visited Comrade Buthelezi at the hospital today and from there we proceeded to the Montclair Police Station and we discovered that that case was opened yesterday.

"We are aware also that ANC activists at the same Tehuis Hostel have issued an order to the effect that every resident will have to be at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on the 6th August when ANC President, Mr. Jacob Zuma appears before court. In addition, all residents have been ordered to be part of a march and rally scheduled for the 16th August at the Unit 17 Hostel, uMlazi to officially rename Mangosuthu Highway as Griffiths Mxenge Highway. These ANC activists have also issued threats against whoever will not be part of the two events.   

"As the IFP we are deeply concerned by these acts of provocation by the sections of the ANC for they threatened whatever semblance of peace we have. Consequently, we totally abhor this barbaric conduct especially because this was not the first incident.  

"We therefore wish to call on the leadership of the ANC in eThekwini not only to condemn but to ensure that such behaviour ceases forthwith before it gets out of hand. We have in fact, sent a letter to the leadership of the ANC in eThekwini in an effort to have this matter attended to urgently before it is too late."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
M. Joshua Mazibuko 072 9270993
IFP Spokesperson: eThekwini