Three major political parties in KwaZulu-Natal – namely the African National Congress, Inkatha Freedom Party and the National Freedom Party – have committed themselves to peace and political tolerance.
The three parties made the pledge in a meeting aimed at defusing tensions in KwaMashu chaired by Safety MEC Willies Mchunu at Princess Magogo Stadium, north of Durban.
The meeting was held following the murder of an NFP branch leader and the shooting of two other party members in two separate incidents in the KwaMashu hostel.
The incidents raised fears of a possible flare up of political violence ahead of a by-election next month and the May 7 general elections.
Leaders from the three political parties sat around the table together with the leadership of the police in the province to talk about the recent developments at the KwaMashu hostel.
It started off tense, but it later became more cordial.
Lack of political tolerance and the existence of an alleged ‘hit list’ with names of people who live in the hostel, some of whom have already been murdered were some of the issues raised.
It’s alleged the list is currently with the local police.
However, police did not confirm or deny the existence of the ‘hit list’.
NFP Provincial Chairperson, Vikizitha Mlotshwa says the situation in KwaMashu must be stopped from becoming violent.
“Each and every political party must do their own programme without fear. We request even if it’s outside KwaMashu. Let’s allow all political parties to campaign wherever they want.”
The NFP pointed fingers at the IFP for the recent attacks on its members.
However, IFP’s Albert Mncwango cautioned against being quick to label every killing at the hostel as linked to politics, suggesting that there may also be criminal elements involved.
Mncwango says the KwaMashu hostel has always been an area of lawlessness.
He says police must be allowed to do their work and make arrests.
“People must feel free to go where they want to go. Political parties must be able to canvass for support wherever they want to do so without hindrance. So if there is anyone who saw any IFP member shooting anybody, they must definitely take that evidence to the police because we are also committed to seeing that criminals are removed from amongst our ranks.”
Police presence has been beefed up at the hostel since the murder of NFP branch leader Ntombi Mzila on Monday.
Members of the Public Order Police and the National Intervention Unit have been deployed in the area.
Provincial Police Commissioner Mamonye Ngobeni says they are receiving cooperation from some of the residents and are receiving information on the recent cases.
Ngobeni says she’s worried about murders at hostels and that they will intensify police operations.
“Not only are we going to do patrols and roadblocks, of course we are going to be engaging in massive operations of searching the entire hostels. But the particular sections of the hostels that we will be conducting searches – that will be areas whereby we will be informed by intelligence.”
The ANC denounced the incident where its members prevented the NFP from campaigning at Ntshongweni last Friday.
ANC Secretary in the eThekwini Region, Bheki Ntshangase says political parties must commit themselves to peace even beyond the May 7 general elections.
– By Zanele Buthelezi
