Issued by: ANC
The ANC in Kwazulu-natal is outraged about the harassment of ordinary people in certain rural areas where they are being mobilised for the so-called protest Imbizo called by the IFP-aligned Amakhosi to oppose the proposed demarcations. We view this as a step taking us back to what was happening prior to 1994 when the IFP was using Amakhosi for its political objectives.
The ANC respects anyone's constitutional right to air his or her views on the issue of demarcation. What is disturbing is the alleged harassment of people to participate in the preparations for this gathering. We have received numerous reports that in various tribal areas people are forced to indicate that they will attend this so-called imbizo. No reasonable person will support this sort of thing (harassment) during this era of democracy in South Africa.
It will be interesting to know who will fund this gathering because the tax-payers' money cannot be utilised for a party-political gathering disguised as the Imbizo called by Amakhosi.
The ANC is of the view that if this gathering was genuinely called by Amakhosi, all traditional leaders of this province, without exclusion of other Amakhosi, would be part of the preparations for this event. The mere fact that many other traditional leaders were not invited to a meeting that resolved the holding of this so-called Imbizo is a testimony that the gathering will be just another IFP rally. The ANC is fully aware that no all Amakhosi, including those who are members of the IFP are supportive of this so-called imbizo but have been threatened into submission.
The ANC calls upon peace-loving people of Kwazulu-natal not to allow themselves to be used to stir political tensions around the issue of local government demarcations. The ANC is following leads indicating that recruitment of "izinsizwa" (young strong male recruits ready to fight) is underway in some areas. Our province cannot afford to be plunged into violence reminiscent of that of the 80's to mid 90's.
Let us all get used to lively and peaceful debates around issues without engaging in intimidatory tactics.
Issued by Dept. of Information and Publicity. 12 January 2000 Contact KZN ANC Spokesperson, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, at 0827029729