STATEMENT BY PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP, PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY, TRADITIONAL PRIME MINISTER OF THE ZULU NATION AND INKOSI OF THE BUTHELEZI CLAN ON THE VERDICT HANDED DOWN IN THE PIETERMARITZBURG HIGH COURT CAPE TOWN, February 15 2012

While I am disappointed by the verdict that was handed down in the Pietermaritzburg High Court today, this is not the end of the road. I will not give up my fight to see democracy triumph.

My legal team will study the verdict once it is available, and we will consider all options that are available to us.

The allegation by the Congress of Traditional Leaders that the case was somehow politically motivated is nothing short of absurd.

However, this obtuse allegation is not surprising considering that we know that this organization is part and parcel of the ANC.

Mr Zuma confirmed this in Manguang when he said, referring to a specific part of the ANC's history that, "An important achievement was the formation of CONTRALESA, which organised traditional leaders into the ANC, assisting the movement to make further inroads in rural areas."

It is also public knowledge that CONTRALESA's President is an ANC Member of Parliament and it is therefore not surprising that they are in support of the ANC government in this case.

Moreover, the presence of Dr Mtshali at the Pietermartizburg High Court today is nothing out of the ordinary. He attended the proceedings in his capacity as a Member of the KwaZulu Natal Legislature, and as a former Premier of the Province. He did not attend the proceedings in his capacity as an IFP member. Dr Mtshali has an interest in this matter too, as he, just like myself, would like to see democracy triumph.

PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP

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