Hlabisa, who is the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) in the government of national unity (GNU), commended Ramaphosa for supporting the move to defend the bank.
“We want to thank the president of our country, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has given his support to the KwaZulu government to fight and remove anything that will make this liquidation see the light of day.”
However, Hlabisa expressed the opposite reaction to Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Bill into law.
He said Ramaphosa did so without engaging the GNU partners, particularly those who did not support it during the previous administration.
“The reality is, during the seventh administration, the president no longer holds a majority of one political party, and therefore he must exercise the functions of his office cognisant of the fact that he must consult.”
Like other GNU partners such as the DA, the IFP has rejected the bill in its current form.
The IFP has two main concerns with it. “While we support meaningful land reform that is just, equitable and aimed at addressing historical injustices, the Expropriation Bill falls short of these principles. This bill is on a collision course with Ingonyama Trust, and this reality hardens our opposition to the bill,” the party said.
Meanwhile, Hlabisa said the party’s half-century birthday celebrations will be marked by a number of activities throughout the year, including rallies, prayers and community engagements.
On March 21, it will host a thanksgiving prayer service at the party’s birthplace KwaNzimela. This will be preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the tombstone of Bishop Alphaeus Hamilton Zulu.
They will then host a birthday rally on March 23 at the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi stadium in Ulundi.
Celebrations rallies will be held in various KwaZulu-Natal districts in April and May before the party shifts focus to youth and women in June and August respectively.
On July 5, Hlabisa said they will host a rally in the northern KwaZulu-Natal town of INgwavuma to commemorate the intervention of Buthelezi against the apartheid government’s decision to cede it to Eswatini.
“The KwaZulu government challenged this decision at the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein, where on July 5 1982 the Appeal Court ruled in its favour.”
They will also host district rallies in Gauteng during July and September, which will culminate in a wreath-laying ceremony in Thokoza to remember those who died during the black-on-black violence.
The IFP has set August 27 as Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Day, when members will engage in community activities “in-line with the example of Buthelezi of servant leadership”.
In October and November, the party will host a meeting of its stalwarts and unveil a remembrance plaque at its offices in Ulundi to honour those who lost their lives while in service of the party.
“With all these events, we are retracing our steps of 50 years as a springboard taking us into the future.”
Ntuli, who also chairs the provincial community safety portfolio committee, called on the party to lead fight against crime and gender-based violence.
He said Buthelezi had charged the party with the responsibility of protecting women and children during the conference where he stepped down as party leader, paving the way for Hlabisa.
“It is important to champion the issues that are facing our province and the country so that we can restore hope to our people, so that they will vote for the IFP and we don’t govern through a coalition but with the majority of the support.”
He added that the party was a “stable and united” organisation that supported Hlabisa as its president.
TimesLIVE
As IFP prepares for 50th anniversary, leaders rally support for beleaguered Ithala Bank
Image: Brenton Geach
The IFP has expressed mixed feelings regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of the Ithala Bank issue and his signing of the Expropriation Bill into law.
The IFP is one of the parties that have condemned the Prudential Authority’s (PA) decision to file for the liquidation of the embattled Ithala Bank.
IFP president Velenkosi Hlabisa called the decision ill-advised and a “travesty of justice and access” for those affected people, mostly people living in rural areas.
He vowed the party would stop at nothing to defend the bank, which, like the IFP itself, was founded by the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
“We will not allow Ithala Bank to suffer the same fate as VBS Mutual Bank and African Bank. It is clear that there is a strategic and deliberate effort to consolidate the major banks by collapsing black banks. We will take to streets in defence of Ithala Bank,” he warned.
Hlabisa was speaking at an event marking the party’s 50th anniversary outside the Durban City Hall on Monday.
The IPF views the PA's decision as an attack on the party.
“Our 50th anniversary comes at a time of great reckoning for our country, where important pillars of our party are under siege,” Hlabisa said.
IFP provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli shares that sentiment.
“We know the Ithala matter has been hijacked for political interests and by those who want to destroy the legacy of the IFP which was created for those excluded by the big banks to be able to start their businesses,” Ntuli said.
“The decision now by those who regulate banks to liquidate Ithala is just a set-up to eventually shut it down.
“As we speak, there are people that bank with Ithala who couldn’t buy groceries for their families because of the actions of the PA and RA. Because of politicians who want to take over our bank and those who are using jealousy and greed to try to wrestle the fact that there is no black leader like uMtwana wakwaPhindagene, who managed to establish a bank for his people.”
Ntuli said they have filed court papers to oppose the move and are confident they have a solid case.
Fate of 'white elephant' Ulundi legislature to be decided by KZN government
Hlabisa, who is the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) in the government of national unity (GNU), commended Ramaphosa for supporting the move to defend the bank.
“We want to thank the president of our country, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has given his support to the KwaZulu government to fight and remove anything that will make this liquidation see the light of day.”
However, Hlabisa expressed the opposite reaction to Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Bill into law.
He said Ramaphosa did so without engaging the GNU partners, particularly those who did not support it during the previous administration.
“The reality is, during the seventh administration, the president no longer holds a majority of one political party, and therefore he must exercise the functions of his office cognisant of the fact that he must consult.”
Like other GNU partners such as the DA, the IFP has rejected the bill in its current form.
The IFP has two main concerns with it. “While we support meaningful land reform that is just, equitable and aimed at addressing historical injustices, the Expropriation Bill falls short of these principles. This bill is on a collision course with Ingonyama Trust, and this reality hardens our opposition to the bill,” the party said.
Meanwhile, Hlabisa said the party’s half-century birthday celebrations will be marked by a number of activities throughout the year, including rallies, prayers and community engagements.
On March 21, it will host a thanksgiving prayer service at the party’s birthplace KwaNzimela. This will be preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony at the tombstone of Bishop Alphaeus Hamilton Zulu.
They will then host a birthday rally on March 23 at the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi stadium in Ulundi.
Celebrations rallies will be held in various KwaZulu-Natal districts in April and May before the party shifts focus to youth and women in June and August respectively.
On July 5, Hlabisa said they will host a rally in the northern KwaZulu-Natal town of INgwavuma to commemorate the intervention of Buthelezi against the apartheid government’s decision to cede it to Eswatini.
“The KwaZulu government challenged this decision at the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein, where on July 5 1982 the Appeal Court ruled in its favour.”
They will also host district rallies in Gauteng during July and September, which will culminate in a wreath-laying ceremony in Thokoza to remember those who died during the black-on-black violence.
The IFP has set August 27 as Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Day, when members will engage in community activities “in-line with the example of Buthelezi of servant leadership”.
In October and November, the party will host a meeting of its stalwarts and unveil a remembrance plaque at its offices in Ulundi to honour those who lost their lives while in service of the party.
“With all these events, we are retracing our steps of 50 years as a springboard taking us into the future.”
Ntuli, who also chairs the provincial community safety portfolio committee, called on the party to lead fight against crime and gender-based violence.
He said Buthelezi had charged the party with the responsibility of protecting women and children during the conference where he stepped down as party leader, paving the way for Hlabisa.
“It is important to champion the issues that are facing our province and the country so that we can restore hope to our people, so that they will vote for the IFP and we don’t govern through a coalition but with the majority of the support.”
He added that the party was a “stable and united” organisation that supported Hlabisa as its president.
TimesLIVE
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