Hlabisa says King's opinion on mic saga matters most

The party's president Velnkosini Hlabisa on Friday spoke about the KwaCeza incident last weekend that left more than a dozen people hurt.

Economic Development MEC and ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma took the microphone from Zulu traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi while he was addressing the crowd at an event to commemorate the death of King Dinuzulu.

Buthelezi, an IFP NEC member, had made comments about ANC politicians. 

Duma accused him of clumsily using a government occasion to criticise political opponents.

The incident happened in front of King Musizulu and President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

Earlier this week, both the KZN ANC and the provincial government slammed Buthelezi, saying he used the wrong platform for his utterances.

But Hlabisa has suggested only King Misuzulu's opinion matters in this instance.

"If His Majesty is concerned in any way by his prime minister’s conduct on any occasion, that is for His Majesty to address. It is not the role of any politician to tell His Majesty what his prime minister can and cannot say. It is also not for any politician to question His Majesty's authority or wisdom in appointing his prime minister." 

Hlabisa says MEC Duma's comments that the Constitution does not recognise the position of a traditional prime minister added insult to injury.

"It is in itself disingenuous as government and the president have long interacted with the prime minister to the king [and] acknowledge the role and authority of his position. The position of the traditional prime minister is close to two centuries old in existence."

Hlabisa has added that he still waiting for proof that IFP supporters assaulted ANC supporters at the event.

ALSO READ: IFP awaiting proof supporters assaulted ANC members

The ANC in KZN claims IFP supporters instigated the violence that broke following the incident at the podium.

Sixteen people were hurt.

" I requested information from the ANC on who these alleged IFP members were and in what way they were identified as IFP members, as this was not an IFP event but a Government event, and attendees were not wearing IFP regalia. To date, that information has still not been provided."

Hlabisa has also indicated that he's concerned by Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube's comments on the allegations against the IFP.

"It is quite one thing for one political party to accuse another; but it is extremely dangerous and irresponsible when those accusations are echoed by the head of government without substantiation. We call upon the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal to desist from peddling this baseless narrative."

The IFP president urged that in this time of heightened political sensitivity, accusations should not be made lightly.

Hlabisa has revealed he has written to ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, on how both parties can deal with the incident.

"I requested that our parties nominate three members of our respective NECs and these three members will jointly facilitate the engagement of our PECs in KZN, to ensure that we deliver the sustainable and desired results."

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