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Joint statement by the ANC and IFP in KZN
11 March 2009
Leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu Natal met earlier this week to discuss the recent incidences of political intolerance, intimidation and violence in the province, ahead of the April 2009 elections.
The meeting, which was chaired by the IFP's Secretary General, Musa Zondi, and ANC's Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize met with the view to diffuse tensions between the two organisations and to put forward a workable solution, in keeping with the recently signed IEC code of conduct.
The delegations of both parties agreed on the establishment of a Joint Contact Committee (JCC) that will be tasked with providing open channels of communication between the ANC and the IFP.
The JCC will not only facilitate discussion but will be a platform where issues pertaining to electioneering can be discussed and resolved, before it leads to disagreement and violence. Both parties have agreed that this is the preferred method of dealing with mutual problems.
The two parties further agreed on discouraging provocative statements and hate speech. Members serving on the joint contact committee are: ANC deputy chair Willies Mchunu and the IFP's provincial deputy chair Blessed Gwala together with IFP's Provincial Secretary, Dr BT Buthelezi and the ANC's Provincial Secretary Senzo Mchunu.
The JCCs first urgent task will be to set-up similar mechanisms at district and local levels throughout the province to prevent conflicts at all levels.
Rev Musa Zondi and Dr Zweli Mkhize have called on the supporters of both parties to honour the spirit of the meeting, and to exercise restraint and tolerance throughout the election period and beyond.
Both parties regret violent activities of the recent past and reject any form of violence directed against anyone, anywhere in the province.
The leaders of both the IFP and the ANC have once again committed themselves to consolidating and strengthening democracy in KwaZulu Natal and have expressed the hope that the joint cooperation initiative will go a long way in ensuring peaceful, free and fair elections.
Issued by:
Jessie Duarte
ANC National Spokesperson
Contact:
Senzo Mchunu 082 335 6256
Dr BT Buthelezi, 082 516 0156
