STATEMENT BY PRINCE MG BUTHELEZI MP LEADER OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY ON STATEMENTS MADE BY ANC YOUTH LEADER: JULIUS MALEMA FEBUARY 5 2009

I have taken note of the rabble-rousing statements made in the Sowetan today by ANCYL leader, Julius Malema.

Firstly, I want to refer to two statements made: "no amount of intimidation will stop us, not even Mangosuthu Buthelezi" and "we will campaign even in his back yard or his house and recruit his children to join the ANC".

I want to express my extreme condemnation of these derogatory statements. They are contrary to the tenor in which we, as political opponents, contest elections in the spirit of our constitutional democracy. It is clear that Mr Malema, who is still at an age younger than the number of years I have served my country, does not understand the unspoken rules of politics.

I also believe this irresponsible political rhetoric does not bode well for the promotion of the spirit of peaceful co-existence and reconciliation between the ANC and the IFP to which the IFP is committed.

As a political party, the IFP respects the right of other political parties to communicate their message and for the citizens of this country to exercise their constitutional right of free voluntary political association.

Political intolerance has reared its ugly head in the KwaZulu-Natal, however I can unconditionally state that it is not being fuelled by the IFP. We see this time and time again as we head closer to national and provincial elections - the African National Congress blames the IFP for all sorts of untruths as part of their election strategy.

I said on Monday, and I want to repeat these sentiments, that the IFP wishes to make it clear that we unequivocally condemn the most recent incidents at Nongoma. Such behaviour has no place in a democratic society we have all striven to build since 1994. Such behaviour is particularly deplorable at election time.

The alleged clashes between ANC and IFP supporters were in fact clashes between IFP supporters and the police who brutalized the public without provocation at the instruction of MEC for Community Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Cele. IFP supporters were summarily tear-gassed and shot at with rubber bullets without provocation when they attempted to access their election campaign destination on foot. The clashes between IFP supporters and the SAPS would never have happened, had it not been for the gross interference by MEC Cele in the work of the SAPS.

I am however now detecting an extremely alarming trend developing within the ruling party. A culture of total disrespect for their political opponents, fierce intimidation and political intolerance. The ANC cries foul in the media, when in fact, they are the ones who are fuelling conflict with senseless statements like these.

It has also become clear that the ANC is now deliberately heightening political temperatures by holding rallies close to major events of other political parties. Sentiments which have been shared by the UDM and Cope.

I am afraid that this outburst by Mr Malema once again proves that, as a country we are now at a moral crossroad. Our country is facing a political crisis, the ruling party has become morally bankrupt and is steering down a path of self-destruction. Previously, we knew that all South Africa's leaders advocated the values of liberation and that they were about bringing democracy to our country, freedom to our people and the hope to a nation. Today, the ANC presents us with leaders such as Julius Malema whose violent rhetoric, total disrespect for our constitution and our collective history can only be considered detrimental to our young democracy.

The Inkatha Freedom Party calls on Mr Malema to be a responsible leader and withdraw this politically ill-advised outburst with immediate effect, to avoid heightening tensions and confrontation, a few months before the 2009 elections.

If Mr Malema fails to do this we will have no option but to refer his statements to the Human Rights Commission for action.

Statement issued by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, President of the Inkatha Freedom Party, February 5 2009