Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP National Chairperson
The IFP calls on all political parties partaking in the upcoming general elections to exercise a high level of tolerance towards each other and to avoid eruptions of violence.
The IFP has opened a case with the South African Police Service (CASE NUMBER:52/04/2019) of assault after IFP supporters in Vryburg in North West Province were assaulted by ANC members while campaigning for the party, further to this all IFP posters were vandalised.
They were attacked because they are being accused of creating confusion among the North West residents by promoting the IFP which the ANC labelled as a “Zulu party”. This has resulted to some being admitted to hospital.
It is unfortunate that some political parties such as the ANC are involved in electoral malpractices. This behaviour by the ANC must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
In a democratic country like South Africa every citizen has a right to choose and vote for their party of choice without fear of being attacked or killed.
We have reported this matter to the IEC so that action must be taken against the ANC. This is indicative that the ANC is afraid if it sees that the IFP’s support is growing in North West.
The ANC have neglected the residents of the North West Province and many have stated that they are fed up with the ANC and the status quo.
That is why the ANC has decided to apply its dirty tactics of intimidating our members. We are not shaken and afraid of the ANC in the North West and everywhere in the country we will continue with our campaign even after the 8 May elections because we want to inaugurate more branches in the North West and around the country.
The IFP believes that if violence is allowed to characterize the ongoing campaigns there is a risk of having low voter turnout as the electorate are likely to feel intimidated to come out to vote. We urge law enforcement agencies to deal decisively with those involved in violence and disruption of public order.
The IEC has already provided a directive by appealing to all political parties to campaign peacefully to avoid violence throughout the election process.
Political leaders are highly influential individuals among their supporters and sympathisers and therefore the nation expects them to promote understanding and tolerance of dissenting political views. The leaders of all political parties should publicly engage their supporters and call on them to stop violence in the run up to the polls.
The IFP calls on the North West ANC Provincial leadership to deal decisively with its thugs and take action against them. Also, we demand that the North West SAPS must work around the clock to arrest the perpetrators. We cannot tolerate their delay in arresting the suspects because it is a well-known fact that if it was ANC members that were attacked the SAPS would have arrested the suspects swiftly.
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Contact:
Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP National Chairperson
078 290 5842
Ms Grace Phaswana
IFP Organiser in North West Province
081 424 2986