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"Service delivery protests across KwaZulu-Natal have become the order of the
day. Whilst we support the grievances of the protesters and understand their
plight, we are concerned about the damage being done to the economy and
disruptions to the daily lives of ordinary citizens. Yesterday the N2 freeway
leading into the Durban city centre, the south coast and the King Shaka
International Airport was closed for many hours causing widespread congestion,
delays and frustration. Many businesses were forced to remain closed for many
hours whilst others had to shut down. Our economy is under severe strain and
these protest actions which erupt without warning, will only serve to cause more
damage to business confidence in the medium to long term", said IFP Leader in
the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.

"The people who are protesting in frustration and anger have been lied to with
false promises by the ANC-led government. These people have been promised
houses, water, electricity and jobs but those promises have not been honoured
for many years now. The ANC must take full responsibility for what is happening
in our province. People have a right to protest when government does not take
their issues seriously during peaceful negotiations. The ANC government should
not be making promises that it has no intention of keeping. With the local
government elections set to take place next year, the ANC will go around making
all kinds of promises again just to win support. People must keep in mind the
false promises of the ANC whilst remembering the many years of clean governance
by the IFP. We encourage people to ensure that they are registered to vote and
to vote for the IFP so that we can restore municipal good governance once again
in KZN", concluded Mr Gwala.

The IFP will be raising the issue of service delivery protests and the damage to
the economy in the KZN Legislature.

Issued by the Inkatha Freedom Party