Following claims by Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi that the ANC Youth League is planning to invade his Zululand home at the weekend, his party’s Youth Brigade on Friday vowed to defend him with their lives.
“We are ready to defend our president and the IFP with our lives. We are not going to take this lying down,” Youth Brigade chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said.
Earlier, Buthelezi had warned the ANC Youth League was set to descend on his Mahlabathini home in force.
Home invasion
“My house is about to be invaded … The ANC Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal has issued a statement announcing that ‘a massive motorcade’ will descend on my home this Sunday.
“I am to ‘brace’ myself for ‘the full force of the ANCYL leadership’ led by Mr Julius Malema himself,” he said.
Buthelezi’s statement followed an earlier one issued by ANCYL deputy provincial secretary Siboniso Duma, in which Duma said the league would descend on Zululand for a massive door-to-door campaign on Sunday that would mark “the end to Buthelezi’s era of oppression”.
Duma said the ANCYL remained “the most militant, people-driven, revolutionary youth formation” in South Africa.
“This weekend marks the end to Buthelezi’s era of oppression,” he said.
Shenge says no
Hlengwa said that while all political parties were free to campaign where they wished, the youth league was not welcome at KwaPhindangene, the private residence of Buthelezi.
“Shenge [Buthelezi’s praise name] has said that the ANCYL is not welcome at his home, and therefore any entry by the youth league onto the grounds of KwaPhindangene will amount to trespassing.
“Trespassers will be dealt with. This is a first and last warning.”
Hlengwa also issued a warning to the ANCYL in Zulu.
“Uma nje lezingane ze-ANC ziya ngenkani KwaPhindangene, ngiqinisile kohlehla ufishi uphinde ethinini. Bayohlanga nenyoka iphuz’ umhluzu. Bazofunda isifundo sangunaphakade.”
[If these ANC kids go to KwaPhindangene, I can assure you they will be forced to go back. They will face the music. They will learn a lesson that they will never forget.] — Sapa