By Celani Sikhakhane
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa says the IFP has received a R20-million donation from the Oppenheimer family for community development.
Hlabisa was responding to questions from Scrolla.Africa on Friday during an IFP election campaign trail at the Big Five Hlabisa local municipality.
Hlabisa said he doesn’t understand why people scrutinise the IFP over the Oppenheimer donation because many political parties have received funds from the same family.
“Why are people so concerned about this donation?” he asked. “Do they want the IFP to be the poorest of the poor and be unable to campaign?
“Funny enough, those questioning the donation never said anything when the Oppenheimers donated funds to our late President Mangosuthu Buthelezi to build the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
“Let me tell them the Oppenheimers respect the IFP because it doesn’t steal, but it works for the development of communities,” said Hlabisa.
He said the donation did not come with any conditions.
The Oppenheimers gave Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi a donation of R5-million in 1978 to build the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
Members of the Oppenheimer family (including Nicky, Jonathan, Rebecca and Mary Slack) have donated R71-million in total to the DA, Rise Mzansi, the IFP and UDM.
One of the country’s biggest individual donors, Israeli-SA billionaire Martin Moshal, has donated about R27-million to the DA, ActionSA and Bosa.
Harmony Gold Mining and African Rainbow Minerals, linked to billionaire Patrice Motsepe, are notable donors, each contributing R11.04-million to multiple parties, including the ANC, DA, EFF and Freedom Front Plus.
Pictured above: President Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
