IFP-ELECTION

ULUNDI, KwaZulu/Natal, July 22 Sapa

IFP may call for KwaZulu/Natal election

The Inkatha Freedom party could call for an election in
KwaZulu/Natal in an attempt to boost the party's majority in the
province.

This emerged at the twentieth IFP national congress in Ulundi
on Saturday.

In a speech prepared for delivery at the congress, IFP leader
Mangosuthu Buthelezi said: "It might be that we are left with no
option but to go back to the people for a fresh mandate and to
increase our majority in KwaZulu/Natal so that we can secure a
constitution for this province, or lose the entire stake in this
gamble".

Buthelezi said efforts to finalise the province's constitution
were being hampered by the inability to secure the necessary two
thirds majority to pass legislation pertaining to the constitution.

He said negotiations between parties were continuing.

"However, as I understand it, no agreement has been finalised
with the other parties whose support is necessary to reach the
required two thirds majority with respect to any of the fundamental
characteristics of the provincial constitution, including the form
of government of the province which we want to be a constitutional
monarchy."

He added: "I have been advised that because of the thin
majority held by the IFP in the provincial parliament, we are at
the mercy of the minority parties."