The Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade has called for peace, tolerance and restraint during the campaign period and beyond.
IFPYB National Chairperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP, was speaking today at the funeral service of Comrade Thokozani Majola (29) in Escourt who was shot and killed last week whilst campaigning for the IFP.
Hlengwa said “Our response to violence must be peace. Our response to provocation should be peace. The demon of violence must be defeated with an emergence of peace and hope.
We must resist the temptation to respond with violence because the future we desire will not be built by bloodshed and lawlessness but by genuine efforts of peace and tolerance. Peace and forgiveness are not easy roads to travel, it is a hard and difficult journey and the IFP has never shied away from diffucult roads. I appeal for calm and peace.”
Hlengwa further said “7 days from today South Africa will hold local government elections, and we have a duty to ensure that those are free and fair and free from fear. Those who hate democracy will use violence as a tool to intimidate us so that elections can be postponed to give them another chance to contest elections. These elections are very important for them to be held to ransom by violence and desparate political maneuvers which seek to fulfill personal gains and not service to the people. We are already being threathened with violence and by-elections are being planned. Our retaliation must be peace.”
“When it comes to IFP killings the South African Police have a adopted laissez faire attitude devoid of any will to solve our cases. I challenge the SAPS to treat us fairly and give us the priority they afford others. Our justice system must protect us through unbias policing and commitment to prosecute accordingly. We have full confidence in the SAPS but when they move at snail pace to solve our cases we are left with no option but to conclude that in the eyes of the police the IFP does not matter. Justice must serve all of us, not just some.” said Hlengwa
Hlengwa expressed the condolences of the IFP leadership ” On behalf of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the entire leadership and membership of the IFP I wish to convey the most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Majola family and friends. The loss the family has suffered is a loss we feel and share with the family. Our fallen comrade died in service to the IFP and his community; we must therefore honour his life by recommitting ourselves to the duty of serving our country.”
The IFP calls on its members to remain calm and allow police to investigate. The IFP would like to send its condolences to Majola family and we stand fully behind them in the time of sorrow.
For further information, please contact:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFPYB National Chairperson
071 111 0539
