ANC playing games, says Buthelezi

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi lashed out at the ANC yesterday for “obstructing reconciliation” and “playing games” with the country’s stability.

Buthelezi made the statement at a press briefing at IFP headquarters in Durban after the third social cohesion conference was abruptly cancelled without reasons given. He was supposed to give the keynote address.

Using examples of historical incidents to illustrate what he called “a clear pattern” of the ANC scuppering his attempts at reconciliation, Buthelezi said there were some in the ruling party who genuinely believed in social cohesion and reconciliation.

“But there is another group, who hold an enormous amount of power, who are determined never to see old wounds healed,” he said.

“I am sick to the stomach of games being played with our nation’s unity, stability, prosperity and hope. The people of eThekwini have been disrespected.

“We deserve to know the reasons – the real reasons – for the sudden cancellation of this conference,” he said.

It was important to know how an “enormous” waste of money could be justified, he said, and people deserved to know “who pulled the strings to bring down the curtain when they heard that Buthelezi was going to speak”.

His secretary said the directive was given by “political leaders”.

“I am not a fool. I have interacted with the ANC leadership in this province for long enough to have noticed a pattern of behaviour,” Buthelezi said. – ANA