Sicelo Dladla

Sicelo Dladla

The Inkathat Freedom Party has warned the ANC-led eThekwini municipality not to go ahead with the renaming of streets this week or face the consequences.

The 101 new street names include the renaming of Mangosuthu Highway in Umlazi to Griffiths Mxenge Avenue and Kingsway in Amanzimtoti to Andrew Zondo.

"We will not take the matter lying down and I can promise that we will do everything in our power to ensure that Mangosuthu Highway remains unchanged even if it means taking legal action," IFP eThekwini caucus leader Thembi Nzuza said.

Nzuza also sent a strong warning to those in the municipality who would be putting up the new signs on the highway not to do so, saying "it is not safe for them".

"People are angry that the ANC is belittling the role of the IFP president in the liberation of South Africa and some might attack them," she warned.

If this happens, Nzuza said, the IFP should not be blamed.

"There is anger on the ground that we have been containing all along and this has been displayed in protests held over the issue," she said.

Last week thousands of IFP supporters took to the streets of central Durban to voice their anger.

Pandemonium broke loose and property was damaged when police used rubber bullets to disperse a large crowd that was not on the agreed route.

"We are going ahead with putting up new street signs this week," said Zandile Gumede, chairperson of the municipality's Masakhane Committee responsible for the changes.