IFP NEC Statement: 17 September 2019

Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson

Note to Editors: This statement follows the sitting of the IFP’s National Executive Committee (NEC). The NEC of the IFP convened their meeting on  Monday, 16 September 2019, to discuss issues facing the country and the party.

On Violence - Special Envoy by President Cyril Ramaphosa:

The NEC this yesterday morning welcomed the action taken by President Cyril Ramaphosa in deploying an envoy to African states in conveying his message of apology on the violence and xenophobia which we have witnessed in our major cities over the past month.

However, the NEC is of the view that President Ramaphosa would do well to also relay a message of seeking greater cooperation in terms of clamping down on the  trafficking of women, girls and children and the illicit trade of goods, products and drugs.

While an apology is commendable and certainly warranted towards our fellow African states, we cannot ignore the myriad of issues states face in terms of immigration, border security and controls as well as the refugee and asylum seeking numbers which have increased over the past decade.

The NEC believes that the process of dispatching envoys should run parallel to an internal South African national discussion on this matter. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP has demonstrated this by actively engaging South Africans to curb the violence in our cities and to address criminality. This process of discussion must be ongoing to find a viable, amicable and a lasting solution.

The NEC believes that South Africa certainly needs to play a leading role in unifying our continent and together with our fellow African states in particular, SADC, tackle each and every obstacle which we face as a region and continent.

Public Service Commission Investigation:

The IFP NEC welcomes the crackdown on nepotism, corruption, mismanagement, fraud and tender manipulation within the public service. The latest investigation into tender fraud committed by government officials is welcomed.

We have long held that we must root out criminality, dishonesty and corruption from the public service in order to ensure that the state is able to effectively and efficiently deliver services.

Crime Stats and the fight against Gender based violence: 

With the release of the Crime Statistics by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele and the South African Police Service together with Statistics South Africa, the NEC notes with serious concern the rising number of heinous crimes committed in our country and towards our women and children.

It is deeply saddening that criminals and criminality is on the rise within our country and that we are in desperate need of a new strategy to quash these elements which are destroying livelihoods, communities and businesses.

The NEC reaffirms the IFP’s commitment in working together with government and various stakeholders in trying to find solutions to fight the scourge of crime and violence in our country.