ANC, IFP showdown at Ulundi hotel

There was a shouting match between Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and African National Congress (ANC) members in front of international election observers at the Holiday Inn in Ulundi on Tuesday afternoon.

Apart from a few bruised egos, nobody was hurt. The hotel’s reception was chaotic as members of the two parties brayed at each other.

ANC provincial executive committee member and KwaZulu-Natal minister for social welfare Meshack Radebe said the clash started when IFP members insulted ANC members.

Radebe said among those who insulted ANC leaders was IFP member of the provincial legislature, Agnes Mncwango.

When approached to comment, Mncwango said Radebe and his entourage had reacted when they “were just greeted”.

Radebe said ANC members had also been insulted by IFP members on Tuesday morning before they visited different polling stations in Ulundi.

“They question us why we are here in Ulundi. They say we are not welcome in Ulundi because we moved the capital of this province to Pietermaritzburg.”

The ANC-led provincial government moved the provincial legislature from Ulundi to Pietermaritzburg in 2004. The move angered IFP leaders, including party leader Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who argued that both Pietermaritzburg and Ulundi had to be used as capitals.—Sapa