The IFP says while its not opposed to joint ventures, working with the NFP to bring about peace is currently too “risky”.
|||The IFP rejects claims that it does not want to work with the NFP to bring stability to the men's hostel in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, the party said on Tuesday.
“Firstly, for the record, in principle the IFP is not opposed to joint ventures as some of the strategies that may be employed to bring about peace,” deputy national spokesman Joshua Mazibuko said.
“However, our political analysis tells us that it is premature to engage in such an endeavour right now. Tensions are so high that it would be very risky to do so.”
The KwaMashu hostel has been tense since the death of three people in recent weeks.
Inkatha Freedom Party councillor Themba Xulu was abducted from his home in KwaMashu's A-Section on October 5, allegedly by five men posing as policemen.
His body was found two days later in an area known as eTafulene, near Durban.
Cebisile Shezi, 31, who was wearing an IFP T-shirt, was shot dead on October 6 near the Thembalihle railway station, in KwaMashu, shortly after Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa addressed IFP supporters at a sports field near the hostel.
IFP supporter Siyabonga Dlamini was allegedly shot dead by a National Freedom Party eThekwini councillor in full view of police and television cameras last Monday outside the Ntuzuma Magistrate's court.
Mazibuko said there was a bilateral committee which was led by IFP chairman Bhekisisa Mthethwa and NFP secretary Nhlanhla Khubisa which dealt with the violence and intolerance.
“In addition, there is a provincial multiparty committee led by the MEC for community safety, Willies Mchunu, which brings together all political parties,” he said.
Mazibuko said IFP leaders regularly visited the men's hostel in KwaMashu to talk peace with their members.
“Let me state unequivocally that the NFP is in fact deliberately misleading the world when they say that the IFP has rejected their proposal; because they have sent no official communication to the IFP head office,” he said.