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IFP appeals for order as factions turn violent

Sicelo Dladla

Sicelo Dladla

The IFP has appealed for restraint after its members marched against the IFP-led municipality of Imbabazane in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Imbabazane is one of five local municipalities in the uThukela district and has the weakest economy.

Estcourt is the closest urban centre and serves as a regional shopping centre that also offers specialist services including medical, educational and manufacturing.

There has been intense fighting between IFP councillors in the area. The divisions in the party have led to two people being hired for the same job of municipal manager .

Matters reached boiling point when dozens of IFP members marched to the municipal offices to demand that one of the managers appointed by the provincial speaker and his camp vacate her position to allow a person hired by the mayor and his camp to occupy it.

The march turned violent when protesters stoned government buildings.

Yesterday IFP provincial secretary Bonginkosi Buthelezi appealed for calm.

He said the IFP would take action if any member was found to have brought the party into disrepute.

"We will look at each case on merit and act accordingly," he said.

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