By Celani Sikhakhane
A battle is raging between the ANC and IFP to win the support of the Zulu king.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, speaking to ANC supporters on Sunday in kwaXimba village, claimed the ANC helped free the Zulu kingdom from the IFP.
“We respect the Zulu kingdom and it must not be dragged into politics. When we arrived here the Zulu kingdom was stolen by the IFP. But we managed to liberate it and gave it the dignity it deserves,” said Mbalula.
Mbalula’s claims come after the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal voiced its disappointment at the appointment of the IFP Zululand district Mayor Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the traditional prime minister to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma told Scrolla.Africa the party does not regard Reverend Buthelezi as the legitimate prime minister.
The IFP rejected Mbalula’s remarks and said he should take the advice of ANC elders and keep quiet because his claims were misguided and embarrassing.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the ANC had never supported the Zulu monarch and the institution of traditional leadership.
“From the very start, during constitutional negotiations towards democracy, the IFP insisted that the Zulu monarch and the institution of Ubukhosi should be recognised and have a role in a democratic South Africa,” Hlengwa said.
“The ANC, on the other hand, refused to even allow the king a seat at the negotiating table.”
Hlengwa said the IFP’s founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, received a commitment from a cabinet committee, led by then deputy president Jacob Zuma, to amend chapters 7 and 12 of the Constitution to protect the role, powers and functions of traditional leaders.
“The ANC reneged on that promise, and gave all the roles, powers and functions of traditional leaders to municipal councillors,” said Hlengwa.
Pictured above: IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa called on ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula to stop claiming that the IFP stole the Zulu kingdom.
Image source: X
