The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls on Premier Sihle Zikalala and the KZN MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, to intervene in the recent public demonstrations and protests which have flared up in iLembe District and in the Ntunjambili area due to miscommunication with the local traditional leadership – amaKhosi, the ward councilors and residents.
The ongoing politicization of the delivery of food parcels and other relief measures to community members who are in desperate need of assistance is shameful and must be condemned.
Politics cannot be at play when the lives of South Africans are at risk and when relief efforts which seek to assist the most vulnerable regardless of the political party which residents support are severely affected.
Indeed, the IFP in KZN fully supports all interventions to help the needy during this difficult time. We encourage all those who may lend a hand to assist in the spirit of fighting the socio-economic challenges escalated by the Covid-19 health pandemic together.
The cases of misinformation and poor communication from the local ward councilor in iLembe has led to grave dissatisfaction by residents who did not receive assistance due to their political party affiliation.
Further to the abovementioned, a community protest which has taken place in Ntunjambili area, complaining about Covid-19 patients that were brought to the Ntunjambili hospital.
The demonstration is as a result of the lack of communication with the local traditional leadership and local ward councilor on a decision to use the hospital for Covid-19 patients.
The IFP in KZN condemns the local protest action as it is now in contravention of the lockdown regulations and we call for calm and all protesters to act with restraint. However, we believe that the KZN Department of Health must urgently act to better inform, and capacitate the local leadership to ensure that information reaches all residents.
We appeal to residents to work with the local community leadership, to obey the regulations of the lockdown and to remain indoors, to stay safe at home.
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Contact:
Thami Ntuli
IFP KZN Provincial Chairperson
072 585 5000