Cape Town — Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, Velenkosi Hlabisa, did not agree with John Steenhuisen’s comments over the smaller “mercenary political parties”, but agreed that the Multi-Party Charter (MPC) could govern as a coalition.
Hlabisa was speaking at the Cape Town Press Club and said his party would be a solid addition to any coalition, proved by the IFP’s stability in the municipalities where it governs. He predicted that the African National Congress (ANC) would fall below 50% in support in next month’s polls, he said that the groundwork had been laid for a coalition government, EWN reported.
Hlabisa added that the MPC would be better off governing the country than the ANC as it will provide different views. He invited political minnows such as Mmusi Maimane’s BuildOne South Africa (BOSA) and Rise Mzansi to join the block, despite Steenhuisen’s comments over mercenary parties trying to gain control of the Western Cape.
“What the DA is saying, is their view, which we do not agree with. The DA is entitled to its opinions. They can say whatever they like because in the Multi-Party Charter we are not one political party,” Hlabisa said.
ALSO READ | IFP not scared of MK, Zuma – Hlabisa
According to TimesLIVE, Hlabisa said the party did not entertain the idea of forming a coalition with the ANC or the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), nor with the newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, should the IFP fall short of the 50% +1 rule to govern the country.
“It will be difficult to work with the ANC because the ANC destroyed the country. If you want to fix South Africa, you cannot fix it with the people who destroyed it,” said Hlabisa.
“The IFP is open to working with a number of political parties across the spectrum as long as we share a common direction.” he added.
He added that the party is ready in the event that the ANC remains in power, the IFP have put in work to avoid a repeat of “disaster governments” such as Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
“We cannot afford to have a South African government which will be a disaster like the City of Johannesburg. Look at how many mayors have been there since 2021, if not four it’s five. If Johannesburg was South Africa, we would be a joke in the world. It means we would have had five presidents in two years. There would be no progress, no services.”
“That’s why we have the multiparty charter, we are preparing for a new government in 2024 because we don’t want to fall into the trap that the City of Johannesburg is.”
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Zwide35009746
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
