Political tolerance is crucial, says MEC

KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, has urged all political party leaders to ensure political stability and tolerance in the province in the run-up to next year’s local government elections.

Ntuli was addressing political leaders at Ulundi on Tuesday during the relaunch of the Multi-Party Political Intervention Committee (MPPIC).

The event was also attended by religious leaders, the Independent Electoral Commission, law enforcement agencies and officials of the Department of Community Safety and Liaison.

The main aim of the MPPIC is to ensure political stability in the build-up to the elections.

Ntuli said the province has made positive strides to end political violence, adding that peace and stability have been restored.

‘As we are about to begin our campaign phase for the local government elections, my appeal to all political parties and their members is not to take us back to the ugly past of political killings.

‘Over the years, the government has worked tirelessly to ensure we create a political sphere free of bloodshed, violence, intimidation and political intolerance.’

He said political parties must recommit themselves and their members to abide by the electoral code.

‘There must be no incidents of intimidation during campaigning. There must be no spreading of inflammatory political rhetoric and all political parties must respect the democratic right of every individual, a right to choose their preferred organisation to join and vote for.

‘Through the MPPIC, which I am privileged to lead, I want us to actively engage as leaders representing various political organisations, so that we are able to proactively address any flashpoint areas that might undermine and discredit elections in the province.’