Note to Editors: This statement follows the sitting of the IFP’s National Executive committee. Executive Committee (NEC) of the IFP sits every Monday to discuss issues facing the country and the party.
On Land:
The IFP welcomes the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that land which falls under the Ingonyama Trust will not be expropriated. Further to this, now that he has made this announcement on the weekend, we will follow with keen interest the further engagement between the President and His Majesty the King on this matter and to find amicable solutions to South Africa’s land woes.
We hope that the comments made are not for pure politicking but a statement of commitment. We still maintain that taking land from the Ingonyama trust would amount to black on black dispossession.
We also call on all South Africans to make themselves available to participate in the Public Hearings on amending Section 25 of the Constitution. It is of utmost importance that all South Africans make use of this opportunity to have their voices heard and to strengthen the work of Parliament.
This is a democratic platform for all views to be captured and we call on South Africans who are participating to exercise restraint and discipline when making submission. Members of the public must remain open, tolerant and listen attentively to each other’s’ views.
On VBS Bank:
We note the on-going and escalating allegations surrounding VBS Bank. We express our concern that the Minister of COGTA Dr Zweli Mkhize finds himself in hot water in so far as corruption allegations point to him in advising municipalities to invest in VBS Bank, at the time he was serving as Treasurer General of the ANC.
We therefore call on President Ramaphosa to establish an inter-ministerial committee to include the Minister of Finance and the Minister in the Presidency to investigate these allegations as Minister Mkhize must recuse himself of the process -he simply cannot be the player and a referee in a matter which implicates him.
On Prasa:
The IFP strongly condemns the attempted kidnapping and hijacking by thugs who tried to scare off and silence PRASA board chairperson Khanyisile Kweyama. She was allegedly thrown into the boot of her car and driven around for three hours before the criminals dumped her car in Katlehong. We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in investigating the matter. We hope that PRASA’s credibility will be restored and any attempts to derail clamping of corruption efforts by officials must be met with the full might of the law.
On Fuel Levies:
The NEC notes that the letter requesting the suspension of fuel levies debate has been received by Parliament, which is currently in recess. The IFP urges Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete to table this debate of urgent National Importance. The recent fuel price hikes impact directly on the lives of the poor and a solution must urgently be sought.
On Duduzane Zuma and State Capture:
We note that State Capture related matters now finding themselves before the courts. We welcome this move by the law enforcement agencies in acting swiftly so that justice may be done.
It is our hope that while the legal processes are in motion, that the NPA continue to prosecute all those implicated in State Capture corruption, racketeering and fraud and that they continue to serve the cause of justice without fear or favour.
We await the outcome on the matter relating to Duduzane Zuma.
Enquiries:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
