Africa-Press – South-Africa. As the general elections draw ever closer, tensions between the IFP and the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal came to a head at a government event, where party followers threw chairs at each other during a heated confrontation in Estcourt at the weekend.
The IFP alleges Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs head Lindokuhle Xulu incited the violence.
The chair-tossing incident happened during a government service delivery programme at the Nhliwe sport grounds on 10 June.
IFP charged state and party lines were blurred in “unprecedented and disastrous” scenes that saw the cancellation of the event.
The event was held to hand over JoJo tanks, a water tanker, a honeysucker to work on toilets and the electrification of rural households.
There is reported tension between Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi and IFP leaders, who have brazenly defied her instructions in councils and accused her of using the department to score points for the ANC.
In a statement, IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli said the party’s leadership in Estcourt reported the problem began when the department “decided to transform the government public meeting into an ANC political rally, using government resources”.
“Several loud-hailing vehicles branded with ANC logos were used to mobilise community members in the area and encourage them to attend the gathering.
“At the entrance of the venue where the government programme was scheduled, individuals were handed free ANC T-shirts as they entered,” Ntuli said.
He added this happened as the IFP in Estcourt held a separate political party meeting, a stone’s throw from the event.
“As community members wearing IFP T-shirts began entering the government public meeting, Lindokuhle Xulu, an ANC Youth League activist who also serves as the head of ministry in the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, took to the stage, seized the microphone, and started chanting slogans inciting violence.
“These slogans included phrases like Niyabesaba yini na? [Are you scared of them?] to which the audience responded with Cha, asibesabi, siyabafuna. [No, we are not scared of them, we want them].
“Xulu didn’t stop there. He went on to sing ANC political songs like Mshini wami, creating a divisive atmosphere between those wearing ANC T-shirts and those wearing IFP T-shirts.”
The allegations were put to department spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi, who said it “strongly condemns the regrettable disruption”.
However, he denied the event was cancelled as the violent scenes only occurred at its tail-end.
“Regrettably, the disruption occurred during the last phase of the programme, inside the marquee, just before its commencement.
“With the safety and well-being of all community members being our utmost priority, the department made the difficult decision to conclude the programme prematurely,” Mngadi said.
“The department vehemently condemns the disruption, as it undermines the democratic process and hinders the progress made towards enhancing service delivery in Ward 21.
“The department recognises the importance of open dialogue, engagement, and peaceful cooperation in addressing community challenges effectively.”
Ntuli said the IFP in the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality had begged Xulu not to politicise the event, but he would not heed their advice.
“The IFP warns all ANC MECs to refrain from exclusively conducting their government programmes in areas where by-elections are taking place.
“MEC Sithole-Moloi should be the one reprimanding her party and the government for misappropriating government resources for political gains.
“This trend sets a dangerous precedent as we approach the 2024 elections.
“Politics and political campaigning should be kept separate from government programs.
“Communities should receive services based on their needs, not their political preferences,” he added.
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