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Buthelezi warns of violence

STREET STRIFE: The proposed changing of Mangosuthu highway in Umlazi, south of Durban has stirred a hornet's nest among opposition parties. Pic. Mandla Mkhize. © Sowetan.
STREET STRIFE: The proposed changing of Mangosuthu highway in Umlazi, south of Durban has stirred a hornet's nest among opposition parties. Pic. Mandla Mkhize. © Sowetan.

Mary Papayya

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has warned that violence will erupt if the ANC in the province renames the Mangosuthu highway.

But Buthelezi was criticised by political experts for his stance.

There was a mixed reaction from opposition parties.

Writing in his weekly IFP newsletter, Buthelezi said the renaming of the highway by the eThekwini municipality will open "many old wounds" between ANC and IFP supporters in KwaZulu-Natal.

"While I know that the removal of my name does not diminish my status or my contribution to the liberation struggle of this country, I genuinely fear that a new name for the Mangosuthu highway could reopen the many old wounds in KwaZulu-Natal which we have striven to heal for many years."

He said he hoped the people of Umlazi, where the highway joined the city of Durban, would be properly consulted on the name change.

The municipality wants the highway to be renamed the Moses Mabhida highway, after the late ANC leader.

ANC spokesman Senzo Mchunu said instead of issuing threats, Buthelezi should be part of the renaming process.

Minority Front leader Amichand Rajbansi said Buthelezi was short-sighted to include "a message of violence" in his statement.

"The Minority Front is also upset about the lack of consultation," he said.

DA spokesman Roger Burrows said the ANC had touched a sore nerve "as if only its heroes were prominent".

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