IFP warns on playing blame game

2008-08-18 20:21

Durban - Inkatha Freedom Party chairperson Zanele Magwaza-Msibi warned that levelling blame for the recent shooting of an 18-year old African National Congress supporter at the door of the IFP would incite "people to do something that is unacceptable".

Magwaza-Msibi was speaking at a press conference held to welcome 30 new members whom the IFP claimed had defected from the ANC, the United Democratic Movement and the Democratic Alliance.

Asked about allegations that the IFP was behind the death of 18-year old Wonderboy Phelako as he emerged from an ANC election launch rally in Durban's Umlazi area on Saturday, Msibi said: "It would be irresponsible for any leader to claim the bullet came from the IFP."

That would have the potential of inciting people to do something unacceptable.

"People should not begin to point fingers."

IFP member gunned down

The shooting of Phelako came barely hours after IFP branch chairperson Bhekisisa Mthethwa was gunned down at Durban's Montclair railway station on his way to work.

The IFP claims the shooting was politically motivated and Msibi said that Mthethwa had been receiving threats for some time.

"We are calling on all political parties in KwaZulu-Natal to condemn this senseless killing so that our people are not being threatened and intimidated."

She urged police to get to the bottom of the shooting, warning that "if this is not being done, I'm afraid our people are very angry on the ground".

Police spokesperson Phindile Radebe said on Monday evening that no arrests had been made in respect of either killing.

She said that the two shootings had been assigned to the police's organised crime unit.

- SAPA