The Inkatha Freedom Party expressed its ”extreme disquiet” on Sunday at a statement by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini about the results of the recently held general election.
”The IFP considers it to be a premature statement by his majesty, the king, on an e.tv programme, that the elections were free and fair, also urging his subjects to accept the results,” the party said in a statement.
”This is in view of the fact that at the time of the king’s pronouncement the IFP had lodged 42 complaints with the Independent Electoral Commission [IEC] about the validity of the poll results.”
The African National Congress had received the majority of votes in the hotly contested province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The IFP alleged there had been a number of irregularities and serious acts of intimidation of IFP supporters by the ANC, with the collusion of the IEC, during the election in KwaZulu-Natal.
It said intimidation commenced on the eve of the election when Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota with hundreds of soldiers descended on the Msinga district.
The soldiers allegedly assaulted people in the area, breaking down doors and windows, expropriating their property including firearms, identity documents and money.
The IFP said its leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, had compiled a dossier on the assaults and had forwarded it to Lekota.
Charges had also been preferred against soldiers at Tugela Ferry police station.
”Accordingly, the complaints have been consolidated into an objection against the election and a team of lawyers have been briefed to consider taking the matter up at the Electoral Court,” the IFP said.
”This is why it is regrettable that his majesty, the king, made the unfortunate statement.” – Sapa