THE National Freedom Party (NFP) is set to lodge a formal complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) against the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) for disrupting their manifesto.
The incident occurred at Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Stadium in Ulundi, KZN on Saturday, 20 April where an IFP-branded plane allegedly caused disturbance.
The NFP alleged that the IFP's actions were a deliberate attempt to intimidate their members, and it was a big sign that they don't respect other parties.
This move to approach the IEC was confirmed by the NFP's secretary-general, Canaan Mdletshe, who expressed the party's shock, dismay, and disgust at the conduct.
"We were literally shocked, dismayed and disgusted by such a conduct. We view it in a very serious note, and we will act decisively against this behaviour in particular occurring in a province and a district that has seen unprecedented intolerance and tensions over the past few months," he said.
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Mdletshe emphasized the seriousness with which the NFP views this act of intimidation, especially in a province and district known for its recent tensions and intolerance.
He said while they accept the IFP's right to campaign freely, he criticised the recurring disturbances at NFP gatherings by IFP members and supporters, marking this as the third such incident.
"What concerns us the most is that this is the third time where IFP members and supporters disturb NFP gatherings. In Escourt, the IFP members disrupted NFP gathering and the same happened in Ulundi. But this time around, they have touched the nerves," he said.
He also pointed out the recent signing of a Code of Conduct by all parties in KZN, aimed at promoting tolerance, which the IFP seems to have disregarded.
"Clearly, the signing of the Code of Conduct was merely a formality from the IFP. They were just fooling us all around, including the electorates. We will be writing to the IEC and formally complaining against such conduct,” said Mdletshe.
In response, IFP provincial chairman Thami Ntuli downplayed the incident, stating that airplanes have to fly and that the campaign schedule necessitated the flight over Zululand.
Ntuli insisted that the IFP had not breached any conduct, emphasising that the plane was merely passing by.
"The airplane didn’t land at the stadium. It was passing by, and it was flying where it should, in the air," said Ntuli.
