Durban — Efforts to close the wounds left open by the political violence between the ANC and IFP might be affected after aid from the Gift of the Givers triggered a war of words between the two parties.
On Monday, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal issued a statement calling on Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman to explain why his organisation is dishing out food parcels to IFP supporters in ward 12 in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality.
Later, the IFP responded to the ANC’s allegations.
ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said the ANC in the province had noted with “disgust” what he called the use of food parcels by the Gift of the Givers Foundation to boost the Inkatha Freedom Party’s dismal campaign ahead of a by-election in ward 12.
“With the majority of communities in ward 12 having attended, in large numbers, all ANC activities over the past few days, we are seeing unethical and desperate attempts used by the IFP to stifle the ANC’s resounding victory,” Mtolo said.
“We are currently nursing a hope that the founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman will come out clean and explain the position of his organisation regarding what is happening in ward 12.”
Mtolo said over the years the ANC had noted different acts of social giving as stipulated by Islamic religious teachings.
It had witnessed the Gift of the Givers assisting communities experiencing socio-economic challenges, by providing human settlements, education as well as assisting victims of floods.
“It is with great disappointment that for the first time, we are witnessing the Gift of the Givers dishing out food parcels to supporters of a political party – and the IFP in particular,” Mtolo said.
The big question was why, he added.
“We shall wait for an explanation before deciding on the next cause of action,” Mtolo said.
Hitting back at the ANC, the IFP said it noted its “malicious” statement which alleged that on Monday, the Gift of the Givers was boosting the IFP’s campaign in ward 12 ahead of a by-election which will take place on Wednesday.
IFP KZN provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli said: “The ANC desperation has clearly reached boiling point and is both laughable and pitiful!”
“The IFP understands the fear and the pressure the ANC is feeling in this province, following IFP’s recent victory in the latest by-elections, with IFP victories in uMvoti, Mthonjaneni and uMfolozi. However, the IFP is calling on the ANC in KwaZulu Natal - which has long abandoned the people of Madlankala in ward 12 - not to spread false propaganda and try to smear the name of the Gift of the Givers and the IFP.”
“To put matters into perspective, the rendering of the humanitarian aid to needy residents of ward 12 is the result of a request from several months ago by the City of uMhlathuze Municipality,” Ntuli continued.
He said following the resignation of the ANC ward 12 councillor in July, the council speaker had had to take over and preside over the ward, to ensure that service delivery was not halted or derailed. Upon identifying various challenges faced by the ward 12 residents, including poverty, the speaker appealed for assistance from many institutions, including non-profit organisations, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and several foundations.
Ntuli said the Gift of the Givers had also been approached to help with food. This is not the first time that the Gift of the Givers has worked with the municipality in aiding the needy. This partnership was also witnessed when the foundation assisted residents affected by floods in King Cetshwayo district, and in that case, no false claims were made by the ruling party.
“It is also important to note that the food parcels that were donated by the Gift of the Givers were openly distributed to residents of Madlankala. There was no list of names of beneficiaries; people were merely asked to queue. No one was asked about or judged according to whether or not they had membership of any particular political party,” Ntuli said.
“It, therefore, comes as quite a surprise that instead of applauding this act of goodwill towards the people of Madlankala, the ANC chose to maliciously misinterpret this kind act of generosity by the foundation and become enemies of progress.
“As the IFP, we suggest that instead of spreading malicious rumours, and slandering an organisation with an unimpeachable track record, the ANC focus on ensuring that all government resources are used for the benefit of the people – and not the ruling party,” concluded Ntuli.
The Gift of the Givers have been approached for comment.
Daily News