IFP MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi Slams ANC Accusations as “Political Imbecility and Tactical Opportunism”
In a scathing response to the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, IFP cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi dismissed accusations made by the ANC earlier in the day as “the highest form of political imbecility and tactical opportunism”.
His statement comes after ANC provincial chair Siboniso Duma, provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, and deputy ANC KZN chair Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu openly criticized Buthelezi at a press briefing. They accused him of fostering divisiveness within the government of provincial unity (GPU) and taking politically motivated actions against traditional leaders and ANC-run municipalities.
In a strongly-worded statement, Buthelezi made it clear that he serves at the behest of premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and not the ANC. He pushed back on what he described as an attempt to portray him as a “weak link” within the unity government, calling it a tactic aimed at undermining his influence.
“I do not take my marching orders from the ANC,” Buthelezi asserted. He characterized the ANC’s comments as efforts to isolate him from the IFP, suggesting that they stem from the party’s discomfort with its significant loss in the province following the May 29 elections.
“The ANC needs to come to terms with their dramatic loss of power,” he stated, referencing the party’s decline in influence following years of governance that had led to “the collapse of governance and service delivery” in KwaZulu-Natal.
Buthelezi accused ANC leaders of engaging in a coordinated effort to undermine his work as Cogta MEC and as the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation. He declared, “None of these tactics by the ANC will intimidate me nor deter me from executing my responsibilities as an MEC serving under an IFP Premier.”
Furthermore, Buthelezi criticized the ANC’s governance record, particularly within provincial Cogta during the previous administration. He accused the ANC of fostering an environment rife with “corruption and malfeasance” and vowed not to shield any misconduct of his predecessors.
During a media briefing marking 100 days of the provincial unity government, Duma called Buthelezi “divisive” and accused the Democratic Alliance of being uncooperative. He stated that ANC officials had received complaints from traditional leaders about Buthelezi’s conduct, which they believed was politically motivated.
Despite the allegations against him, Duma affirmed that the coalition government would continue to serve KZN residents for the next five years. At the same briefing, Simelane-Zulu stated that there were “no tensions” in the unity government and that the ANC worked well with the IFP leadership. However, she referred to Buthelezi as a “rotten potato” and accused him of using his position to settle scores with ANC-run municipalities.
In conclusion, the political landscape in KwaZulu-Natal appears tense as accusations and counter-accusations are exchanged between the ANC and IFP leadership. Buthelezi remains resolute in his position, asserting his independence and commitment to fulfilling his duties as Cogta MEC and traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation. The coming days will reveal whether the tensions between the two parties will escalate or if they will find common ground for the betterment of the province and its residents.
