IFP: No hospital visitors for Buthelezi
2011-09-10 08:09
Johannesburg - IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi may not receive visitors at the hospital in Empangeni, outside Durban, he was admitted to on Friday with fatigue, said a spokesperson.
The Inkatha Freedom Party thanked the public for its "massive outpouring of support" for Buthelezi, in particular those who had gone to the hospital to see him, said spokesperson Liezl van der Merwe.
However, his doctors had ordered him to rest and he could not receive any visitors at this stage, she said.
"We thank the public for their understanding in this regard."
Van der Merwe said the IFP thanked the public for the "massive outpouring of support" for Buthelezi, In particular those who had gone to the hospital to see him.
It was expected that he would be discharged within a week, she said.
Earlier on Friday, Van der Merwe said he had been admitted to the Empangeni Garden Clinic to obtain the rest he needed.
"It is well known that throughout more than a decade in public life, Buthelezi has never taken holidays and works at a pace that few can keep up with," she said.
Reed dance ceremony
He had also not taken a break after the local government elections in May.
"Buthelezi has expressed disappointment at being unable to attend the annual reed dance ceremony of His Majesty the King of the Zulu Nation, to perform his responsibilities as the traditional prime minister to the monarch."
The annual reed dance festival takes place at King Goodwill Zwelithini’s Enyokeni Palace on Saturday.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to attend the ceremony, after attending a tree planting, also at the palace, at the invitation of United Democratic Movement president Bantu Holomisa, who is also chairperson of the Champions of the Environment Foundation.
According to its website, the Foundation is an autonomous, apolitical group formed in December 2007 to meet the need for a co-ordinated environmental campaign.
- SAPA
