Buthelezi speaks his mind
2004-03-31 21:55
Cape Town - The growing tension between President Thabo Mbeki and Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi surfaced again on Wednesday at the last cabinet meeting for the present term.
Buthelezi thanked and praised Mbeki for his leadership, but also criticised the president and his cabinet.
This comes amid speculation whether Buthelezi, the minister of home affairs, will have a post in Mbeki's new cabinet after the IFP reached a co-operation agreement with the Democratic Alliance.
Buthelezi said he felt compelled to say a few words to express his personal sentiment and that of his party.
"Coming from me, especially against the backdrop of the heated tone of the election campaign, I hope my words of appreciation will be understood as sincere and without any ulterior motives."
Felt was was treated unfairly
He said he would be unfair to refer to all the "low points" in the relationship between the African National Congress and the IFP, but said there were times when he felt the cabinet and Mbeki were treating him unfairly.
He referred to times when his expertise and good faith were called into question.
Buthelezi said he had reached a point in his life when he did not expect anything from anybody and that was why he now had the luxury to "speak the truth".
The government thanked Buthelezi for his statement afterwards and apparently ignored the IFP leader's criticism.