Note to Editors: This statement follows the sitting of the IFP’s National Executive Committee. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the IFP sits every Monday to discuss issues facing the country and the Party.
ON THE RENAMING OF UMZINYATHI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the IFP notes the recent uMzinyathi District Municipality Council decision, which resolved to rename the Municipality to Prince Mangosuthu District Municipality.
The party, and its founder and President Emeritus, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, are humbled by this Council decision, however, Prince Buthelezi has not yet reached a final decision whether to accept this Council resolution.
In expressing his view on the matter to the NEC, Prince Buthelezi has requested that the Council ensure that all necessary due processes are followed first.
At this time, Prince Buthelezi is applying his mind and will consider this proposal in private and in consultation with his family and loved ones.
Therefore, the decision to rename the Municipality has not yet been finalised, as reported in the Ilanga Newspaper in KZN over the weekend, but is being considered and a final decision will be communicated at a later stage.
ON THE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS
The IFP NEC discussed the reopening of schools countrywide at length and have taken a strong position to call on government and the Department of Basic Education to urgently reconsider the decision to reopen schools.
The NEC has received numerous reports on this matter and is of the view that the lives and the safety of school children, teachers and families must come first.
The IFP is of the fundamental view that the decision to reopen schools was a premature action by the Department of Basic Education. This decision, together with the downgrade of the lockdown to alert level three, simply further compounds matters, as we are not yet fully aware of the health-related implications of this alert level.
The Party has monitored and observed the reopening of schools today and we are concerned with the lack of compliance to health regulations by schools, scholar transport authorities and the blatant disregard of all stakeholders to maintain social distancing, to wear masks and to refrain from hugging or bodily contact.
As we brace ourselves for the worst in the fight against the spread of Covid-19, and as the infection rate rises, we must take extraordinary precautionary measures.
It is deeply worrying that despite the numerous concerns raised by many in the education sector regarding scholar transport, water and sanitary conditions at schools, poor infrastructure and lack of planning, these concerns have simply been ignored by the Department.
The country right now must prepare for the worst and, in particular, our health facilities, which run the risk of critical shortages in supplies, protective equipment and ventilators.
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Contact:
Siphosethu Ngcobo MP
IFP Secretary General
082 902 4508
Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
