Mkhuleko Hlengwa
IFP National Spokesperson
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 Land Expropriation:
The NEC noted with grave disquiet the reckless attempt of the ANC to torpedo the Parliamentary process of public hearings with an ill-timed announcement that land would be expropriated without compensation.
To make such an announcement on the eve of the Western Cape public hearings was reckless and irresponsible as this rendered the voice of our Western Cape compatriots ignored as obviously a decision had been taken before they could speak.
The IFP warns against using the land question for cheap and expedient political gain. The land question remains an integral part of the transformation agenda of South Africa and accordingly it must be handled with political caution which puts economic justice at the centre of expropriation.
The NEC reiterates the call made by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, MP last week for “Parliament to reaffirm its authority, and to engage the ruling party on its public disrespect for the parliamentary process.
On the Quarterly Labour Survey:
The NEC notes with serious concern that our country’s unemployment rate rose to 27.2% in the second quarter from 26.7% in the first three months of this year.
In its quarterly labour force survey, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) says that the manufacturing sector saw the most job losses.
There were 6.1 million people without jobs in the three months to the end of June this year.
This clearly shows that the ANC’s policy offer to South Africans has failed to create jobs, stimulate the economy and increase investor confidence. The ANC has also failed the youth and small businesses, especially in the manufacturing industry as cited by StatsSA.
The IFP believes that small business development should be a national priority. There needs to be a strong focus on developing small and medium enterprises with the support of government.
Far too many jobs have been shed this year and it is high time that the ANC take the bull by the horns and address job creation with the seriousness it deserves.
On 2019 National and Provincial Elections: Register to Vote
The NEC further reiterates its clarion call to all South Africans to ensure that they update their addresses on the voters roll and for those who have not registered to register for the forthcoming National and Provincial Elections.
Accordingly, all IFP structures at Constituency and District level will intensify the campaign on the ground to mobilise South Africans to register to vote.
The 2019 National and Provincial Elections are extremely important and therefore all South Africans must ensure they are properly registered.
On the SABC and the PSL:
The IFP strongly condemns the announcement by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to cut the broadcasting of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on radio, following the failure by both parties to reach an agreement on radio sporting rights.
The SABC announced to public dismay on Friday that they will not broadcast PSL matches on radio this season following unsuccessful negotiations with the league.
This is entirely unacceptable as the majority of South Africa’s sport fans, particularly the poor who cannot afford DSTV premiums, make use of the broadcasting platform to receive information on matches. This will see the revenue for advertising plummet at the already bankrupt SABC.
It was ill thought of the state broadcaster to simply go ahead and starve millions of South Africans who rely on this platform for coverage of the country’s biggest sport.
The NEC hopes that the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Ms Tokozile Xasa MP together with the SABC and the PSL leadership find an amicable solution as soon as possible.
On Border Control:
The NEC notes recent reports on human and child trafficking. While unemployment may be the key driver in the scourge on trafficking people, our porous and vulnerable borders are of grave concern.
Traffickers work on the vulnerability of people who are willing to take risks to find employment.
It cannot be that 24 years into our democratic dispensation, illegal and undocumented immigrants are allowed to cross over into our country. Similarly, syndicates which operate to take South Africans across our borders and indulge in gross human rights violations are unacceptable.
The IFP believes that a coordinated response is required through the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation, Home Affairs, Police and Intelligence, Defence, Justice and Correctional Services and multiple stakeholders involved in keeping our citizens safe and secure.
On Department Public Works’ R30 million splurge on Ministerial homes:
The NEC notes the allegations which are yet to be discussed in Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) that the Department of Public Works spent R30 million on five homes for ministers in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town without following open tender processes – fitting three of them with braai areas costing R500 000 each.
The IFP will address this matter when it arises in Scopa. There are many questions to be answered surrounding the inflation of costs by contractors, who benefitted from the construction tenders and why the Department turned a blind eye to blatant corruption.
On the Zimbabwe Elections:
The NEC expresses its profound concern about the scenes of violence and loss of life which characterised post-Election day in Zimbabwe.
We call on all parties and stakeholders to find recourse to their grievances through legal and peaceful means; and to exercise maximum restraint.
We wish the new Government and People of Zimbabwe well on the journey that lies ahead of rebuilding their country.
Enquiries:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
