IFP reiterates desire for postponement of elections
Inkatha
Freedom Party (IFP) leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has again called for the local
government elections to be postponed, amid fears of a third wave of Covid-19
infections.
Hlabisa is worried about a deeper health crisis if millions of voters are allowed to flock to the polls in October.
"We are ready to contest this elections, but politics cannot take precedence over the need to save lives and protect families. We, therefore, call on Cabinet and the National Coronavirus Command Council to place the interest of our people first,” he said.
Addressing the media in Durban on Tuesday, Hlabisa also called on Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to step aside - saying allegations around his involvement in the Digital Vibes contract have tainted his public image.
READ: Ramaphosa could have acted faster on Mkhize: DA
"The whole cloud around him - every time when he will appear, that cloud will also appear over him. It will make the people of South Africa lose confidence on him. In a democratic country, when you have so much allegations of corruption the best thing to do is to step aside."
President Cyril Ramaphosa has since placed Mkhize on special leave.
Meanwhile, speaking after an ANC national working committee meeting, deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte said the party welcomes the decision by Mkhize to present himself before its integrity commission.
