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The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal believes that the outright defeat of Inkatha Freedom Party in  KwaMaphumulo Local Municipality today signals the beginning of the end for the party.

Despite another IFPs well calculated anarchy engineered by its councillors, today's special council sitting elected the following leaders:-

• Mayor: Cllr Matozi 
• Khuzwayo-Dlamini of the  ANC
• New Speaker: Cllr Snenhlanhla Chilli of the Economic Freedom Fighters
• New Whip: Cde Nzo Nkosi of the ANC

The next sitting of the council will elect the Deputy Mayor.

This leadership collective will focus on serving the people of KwaMaphumulo irrespective of political party affiliation. 

We must hasten to point out that wherever they are, IFP leaders are all staring at political oblivion -  considering the fact that this is yet another humiliating defeat within three days.

The crushing defeat has not only disrupted the burgeoning IFP-DA relationship.  It is destroying this coalition which represents nothing else but the beginning of ethnic divisions.  This was enforced under the apartheid regime especially here in KZN.

We have sent out a strong message that as the ANC we are determined to cleanse this province off any stain of collaboration with apartheid forces.

We witnessed  in municipalities where the IFP has been governing over the past few months,  party leaders harboring deep-seated feelings of anger.

This has been manifested in violence and intimidation displayed by IFP  leaders and their supporters  in Umsinga, Umtubatuba, Nongoma and many other places. There are many unreported cases of intimidation which have not been reported.

As the ANC we will continue to work with political parties, community leaders and other progressive forces to ensure peace and a better future for all. 

We must hold hands and ensure that violence and intimidation do not re-surface in any part of the province. 

Finally, we are calling upon the people of this province to reject those who are not interested in the presentation of progressive pogrammes that will drive socio-economic development.

This province has no place for war mongers.

Issued by the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal