The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal has strongly condemned the alleged torching of Ms. Barbie Mazeka’s home – a principal at KwaNgcoyi Primary School in Nongoma – North of the Province.
The gruesome incident is believed to have taken place two days ago.
The IFP urges law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous act are apprehended and brought to justice.
The IFP firmly rejects any form of abuse and intimidation against female leaders, especially those who play a crucial role in shaping our nation’s future through education.
The party is deeply concerned about the recent horrific incidents targeting principals and school teachers across schools in Nongoma.
In light of these alarming incidents, the IFP calls upon the MEC for Education in this province, MEC Mbali Frazer, to promptly appoint a specialised conflict resolution committee to investigate the root causes of these violent occurrences.
Furthermore, the IFP takes this opportunity to caution the ANC in the Zululand against making baseless accusations and attempting to associate the IFP with the arson incident in Nongoma.
Such attempts to link the IFP to this unfortunate incident is reckless and nothing more than cheap politicking by an unethical ANC, that has completely lost its way, and is now exploiting this tragic incident to tarnish the IFP.
Furthermore we note that the ANC has been making unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption perpetrating to various schools in Nongoma, attempting to connect them to NATU and the IFP.
It is very important to mention that the IFP has always protected education as a priority.
That is why, during the days of the struggle, the IFP Founder and President Emeritus Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, championed education for all with the slogan, “Education for Liberation,” while the ANC was advocating for “Liberation now and education later”.
While others were burning schools, it was the IFP that ensured the safety and protection of schools. Till this day, the IFP advocates for the prioritisation of a safe and protected learning environment.
The ANC should rather focus its attention on calling on the ailing Department of Education in this province, to get its house in order and make sure that fair and due processes are followed when hiring staff and filling vacancies.
The Department should do that in a just manner without favouring SADTU members over NATU members, since SADTU is ANC-affiliated.
Finally, the IFP appeals to all communities to protect one another, particularly our essential workers such as teachers.
We must also ensure the protection of public infrastructure – including our schools and libraries.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Cllr Thami Ntuli
IFP Provincial Chairperson
Phone: 072 585 5000
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