IFP COUNCILLOR BRIBED, THREATENED
The IFP has called on the MEC for Community Safety and Liaison to act swiftly to investigate ANC Councillors who are alleged to have sought to bribe an IFP Councillor into selling out the party in the Mbabazane Municipality in Estcourt.
This the IFP said in reaction to the sworn statement made by its Councillor Ms Lihle Nqubuka in which she claims that ANC iMbabazane Mayor Strydom visited her house on the 27th May this year, in the company of the ANC Councillor Mlangeni and one other ANC member, Dladla, to persuade her to spoil her voting paper when the Council voted for the renewal of the contract of Mr. Sbusiso Nzuza. They promised her R150 000 and to find her fiancé employment if she agreed to do so. Nqubuka refused to do so.
Later, according to Nqubuka's statement, they begged her to resign her Council position so that there would be a By-election in her Ward. They undertook to give her R250 000, the bodyguards, provide her with a house and employment if she agreed.
Further, they told her that MEC Mr. Willis Mchunu wanted to speak to her. Nqubuka rejected those offers also. Since rejecting all those overtures, Nqubuka says she has received a number of telephone calls from people who warn her about a plot to murder her. She has since reported the matter to the local police station and to her party.
In a statement he issued today after receiving Ms Nqubuka's Affidavit, the Deputy National Spokesperson of the IFP, Joshua Mazibuko condemned what he called the inhuman and criminal behavior of those alleged to have attempted to lure the IFP Councillor into selling out her party and the people who voted for her.
"Councillor Lihle Nqubuka's report exposes the worst form of sewer politics which drives people to the lowest levels of inhuman and criminal behaviour because of uncontrollable lust for power and money. Worse and more disgusting is the fact that Councillor Nqubuka must now live in fear for her life just because she has stood resolute and refused to sell her political birthright for a bowl of political soup.
"I will communicate with MEC Mchunu and Provincial Commissioner Ngobeni urging them to ensure an urgent and thorough investigation of this matter so as to hold accountable whoever may be found responsible," said Mazibuko.
Statement issued by Joshua Mazibuko, IFP Deputy National Spokesperson, September 6 2011
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