President Thabo Mbeki said on Thursday that the Inkatha Freedom Party and the African National Congress will meet on Monday to discuss the political tension between the two parties.
Speaking at an imbizo at Tugela Ferry, Mbeki said the talks will strengthen cooperation between the two parties.
”During the elections the two parties must agree that they will work in such a way that the people in KwaZulu-Natal are able to vote for any party without fear of being intimidated,” Mbeki said.
Earlier on Thursday, Mbeki’s convoy was brought to a halt by about 150 IFP supporters carrying traditional weapons.
The marchers chanted that Mbeki was not welcome in the area.
There was a tense stand-off as police turned protesters away from the field where the imbizo was being held. This later ended when police allowed the IFP supporters on to the field one by one after searching them.
Mbeki said he and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi agreed that violence must not be allowed to mar the election and both agreed that violence must end.
”We all fought for this freedom. There is no reason for violence in the province. When we fought for freedom we fought for peace,” Mbeki said. — Sapa