By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) says they have written to ANC president Cyril Rampahosa requesting to engage in “peace talks” following the mic-grabbing incident in KwaZulu-Natal.
Economic Development MEC and ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma publicly clashed with Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation Thulasizwe Buthelezi at the weekend.
At a briefing in Durban earlier on Friday afternoon, IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa says his party remains committed to ensuring peace and stability in the province ahead of the general elections in May.
Hlabisa’s briefing followed that of the provincial ANC on Wednesday, where secretary Bheki Mtolo insisted that Duma’s actions were justifiable.
Mtolo said Duma had prevented Buthelezi from “spoiling” last weekend’s 110th commemoration of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo that was held in KwaCeza, Zululand.
Violent clashes broke out between supporters of the parties, leaving 16 of them injured.
According to Hlabisa, he received a letter from Mtolo on Wednesday seeking a peace dialogue with the IFP.
He said he instead wrote to Ramaphosa, proposing that NEC members from each side oversee the Kwazulu-Natal talks.
“I indicated to him [Mtolo] that I would respond once I had given the matter some thought. After careful consideration, I dispatched a letter to the president of the ANC, sharing how best we can deal with the KwaCeza incident as he also commented about it in public.”
“I requested that our parties nominate three members from our respective NEC’s. These three aside members jointly facilitate the engagement of our PECs in KwaZulu-Natal, to ensure that we deliver the sustainable and desired result.”
Hlabisa said he was also concerned by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s comments on the allegations against the IFP.
“It is in itself disingenuous as government and the president have long interacted with the prime minister to the king, acknowledge the role and authority of his position. The position of the traditional prime minister is close to two centuries old in existence.”
He said in this time of heightened political sensitivity, accusations should not be made lightly.
“We are now awaiting the response from the ANC president,” said Hlabisa.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini also weighed-in the mic-grabbing incident, saying it was inappropriate, provocative and un-African.
“The Zulu culture is entrenched in the tradition of people being allowed to express themselves and any action that forcefully deprives any person of their right to speak, irrespective of that person’s message or status, is an assault to the values of the Zulu nation,” the king said through his office.
“In terms of the Zulu kingdom hierarchy, the traditional prime minister is the commander-in-chief of amabutho [Zulu regiments] and the principal spokesperson of the king whose primary duty it is to present the king before his majesty speaks at any function.”
The king also applauded Buthelezi “for responding with calmness and dignity when Duma sought to provoke and humiliate him”.
Meanwhile the Congress of the People (Cope) has formed a collaboration with the traditional leaders group, Freedom in South Africa (Fisa), to advocate a new system of rule in South Africa.
Their joint call is for the country to be ruled by kingdoms, with royal houses governing above the traditional political system. The announcement came during a briefing in Houghton on Friday, where the leaders highlighted the reasons behind their decision to enter politics and align themselves with Cope.
Fisa leader, Monnye Nthai Malatji speaking on behalf of the traditional leaders expressed their deep-rooted feeling of being unseen and unheard, which has spurred them to take action and forge an alliance with Cope.
“In the whole of Transvaal, we are nowhere to be seen, this is because of the government, they destroy traditional leaders to make sure that they take control of land and minerals in the country and that is why we continue to suffer,” said Malatji.
Expressing gratitude to Cope for the opportunity to collaborate, the traditional leaders believe that this alliance will bring about positive change and serve the interests of their people.
Cope’s leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, affirmed the party’s readiness to launch their manifesto on Saturday, demonstrating their commitment to the forthcoming elections.
Lekota said every South African, regardless of their socioeconomic status or education level, deserves the right to vote.
He further emphasised the importance of inclusivity, stating that the “lowest members in society must participate in the running of affairs in the country”.