AIC tells ANC to reverse Matatiele demarcation, or else

Johannesburg – The African Independent Congress has told the ANC to reverse the decision to incorporate Matatiele into the Eastern Cape.

Failing this, it would enter into coalitions with the DA in any councils where the ANC had been hoping for a coalition, AIC leader Mandla Galo said on Monday.

According to a referendum in 2009, Matatiele residents opted to remain in KwaZulu-Natal. Galo said the ANC had promised residents to reverse the decision, but nothing had happened.

The AIC was born out of that conflict.

Galo said he reminded ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize of Matatiele when he approached the AIC for coalition talks a few days ago.

The ANC had promised to resolve the Matatiele issue, but nothing had materialised.

“They must go back to their national working committee to reject that decision which was taken by the ANC against the will of the people.”

Galo said he had not heard from Mkhize.

“He said he will come back to me, he will confer with his political principals, but I have not heard from him. I am not going to allow a situation where the votes of the AIC serve the needs of the ANC,” he said.

“If they are people who are compassionate, people who listen, especially ordinary people, they must come back to us, otherwise we have no choice but to enter into a coalition with the DA.”

ANC spokesperson Khusela Sangoni confirmed the party was in discussions with a number of political parties, but refused to give further details.

"Yes, we are talking to several political parties, but the content thereof cannot be discussed as it's part of coalition talks," she said.

This article first appeared on News24.