IFP leader, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, has lambasted the leader of Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema who was recently quoted as saying the state should take ownership of land under the Ingonyama Trust.
Buthelezi was addressing thousands of his party supporters at Makhathini Flat in Jozini during an IFP rally on Monday.
Buthelezi said Malema sits next to him in parliament but has never raised the issue of Ingonyama Trust land with him.
‘I want to warn you to be careful of parties that campaign on the basis of emotions.
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‘I have not heard anything from the EFF beyond fiery rhetoric and divisive statements. Mr Julius Malema has even said that traditional land in this province should be taken away from the custodianship of our king and given to the ANC-led national government.
‘Malema said this after visiting our king and giving him gifts of cattle,’ said Buthelezi.
Buthelezi said he was struggling to understand how a political leader can be so disrespectful, adding that it was clear that the EFF’s intention was to divide South Africans.
‘They talk about wanting to tear things down, but that is not what our country needs.
‘ We need builders and workers and people of goodwill who are willing to make their contribution.
‘We need to heal our country, not tear it apart in the name of so-called economic freedom,’ he said.
Buthelezi also took a swipe at his political party for failing to hold an elective conference in December last year.
‘Last year, we were supposed to hold the IFP Youth Brigade and Women’s Brigade Conferences to prepare for our national elective conference, but that did not happen.
‘During my meeting with the NEC in Durban last year, I stated that I won’t stand for the election, and I said whoever is willing to be nominated as my successor should raise up but no-one did.
‘It is when I proposed the name of Velenkosini Hlabisa to be my successor and we all agreed, I now do not know what is delaying these conferences,’ said Buthelezi.
Buthelezi reminded Jozini residents that his party was different from other political parties.
‘We place people before power.
‘We care about serving people’s needs, not the needs of the party.
‘That is why the IFP works through partnerships with the people we serve, rather than disappearing after elections are held,’ he said.
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