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The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the MEC for Transport, Willies Mchunu, to
ensure that proper consultation processes are followed before the
implementation of the “Roads Naming Project” he announced during his Budget
Speech in the KZN Legislature.

“We are aware that this project is at an advanced stage but the IFP is of
the view that this is a critical matter which needs to be dealt with
accordingly. We will recall that people took to the streets to voice their
anger at the decision by the ANC led-eThekwini Municipality to re-name the
Mangosuthu Highway to Griffiths Mxenge. We demand that all opposition
parties must be engaged in every discussion and decisions taken in this
project to avoid any community backlash that might occur. We demand to be
included in committees that will be tasked to deal with this matter,” said
IFP National Chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala.

“We want to re-iterate our call that Mangosuthu Highway and Mangosuthu
University of Technology are names that are of historical value and
therefore must remain. We will not allow anyone to rewrite the country’s
history. Allowing such name changes will be an insult to Prince Mangosuthu
Buthelezi as a senior statesman and a leader who has contributed so much to
the development of this country.  We believe that the money that would be
used in changing names could be better used in assisting impoverished
students. Taxpayer’s money should not be used for political gain by the
ruling party,” continued Gwala.

“We recommend that when the project starts the department must hold public
consultations and allow the people to choose their preferred names
peacefully without any political interference. The IFP will be in all ears
and it will closely monitor the progress of this project,” concluded Gwala.