ANC, AIC mum on Matatiele integration

THE ANC and the African Independent Congress (AIC) are putting up a united front in their bid to resolve one of their vital coalition agreements; the integration of Matatiele back into KwaZulu-Natal.

Yesterday neither party would reveal any further details about the transfer of the region from the Eastern Cape back to KZN.

Speaking at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, where the ANC’s top six officials gathered to give a report back on the special national executive committee meeting held at the weekend, secretary- general Gwede Mantashe highlighted that Matatiele was not on the agenda of the committee’s meeting.

“There’s a team dealing with that led by comrade Jeff (Radebe),” Mantashe said.

Equally, the AIC would not say much except that the coalition was still on. “Nothing has changed. “Both parties met on Saturday, March 18 to hold talks and we still hold the same views,” AIC secretary general Mahlebenzima Jafta said.

Jafta said his party’s demands remained the same; to see the ANC fulfil its promise on Matatiele.

The AIC had previously warned that failure by the ANC to ensure that the relocation happens would ultimately see them withdraw from the coalition and the ANC losing Ekurhuleni, the only municipality it governs in Gauteng.

In order for the relocation to materialise, the matter needs to be tabled before Parliament.