A heated exchange of words has erupted between the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party) and the ANC provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal, Bheki Mtolo.
The dispute arose after Mtolo penned an open letter, referring to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi as a “ravening wolf” and accusing him of insincerity in his intentions for the nation.
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The letter, addressed to Mzala Nxumalo, the late nemesis of Buthelezi, drew from Nxumalo’s controversial 1988 book titled: “‘Gatsha Buthelezi: Chief With a Double Agenda.”
This book had previously sparked outrage within the IFP, as they claimed it propagated false information about Buthelezi and his roles as the traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch and nation, as well as his time as the Chief Minister of the former KwaZulu Bantustan.
Adding fuel to the fire, the ANC in Zululand had renamed its region as the Mzala Nxumalo region, further aggravating Buthelezi and his party.
The renaming move was seen as an indication that the ANC was not genuinely committed to reconciliation with the IFP. In his open letter, Mtolo accused Buthelezi of being a leader who speaks with duplicity and self-aggrandizement.
He also alleged that Buthelezi had played a divisive role within the Zulu royal family, particularly since the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini in March 2021.
Mtolo stated that the public’s perception of Buthelezi as a nation-builder was deceptive, as he had, in reality, caused divisions within the Zulu royal family and other leadership institutions in the province.
Late on Tuesday, the IFP issued a scathing response to Mtolo’s letter, dismissing him as a “lunatic” desperately seeking relevance.
The party accused him of attempting to incite violence through his incendiary remarks and divert attention from the failings of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, especially with the 2024 elections approaching.
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The IFP emphasized that it remained focused on reclaiming the province from the ANC and would not be swayed by Mtolo’s provocations.
They labeled him as a “small boy” trying to pose as a statesman, while the IFP continued its growth movement, looking ahead to the 2024 elections with determination.
