Media Statement by the President of the National Freedom Party, Ivan Barnes
26 March 2024
In line with the teachings of the founder of the National Freedom Part, President Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, we wish to announce that we will ensure that a decisive action is taken against the Mayor of Zululand District Municipality Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
We have been following with disgust developments around him.
Zululand District Municipality was once a model of good governance and service delivery under Zanele Magwaza-Msibi as the Mayor.
All of that has been destroyed by Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
Money that should be used to alleviate the suffering of ordinary members of society is being used as a weapon to oppress women and to fulfil his sexual desires.
The sexual exploitation and the abuse of women is the worst form of crime that should not be tolerated by any political party in this country.
The 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children enjoins all South Africans to be active participants in the fight against the abuse of women and children.
Within this context, we will never turn a blind eye to the sexual exploration of women in Zululand District Municipality.
On top of the six women that have been dismissed for their refusal to be sexually exploited by Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi, more women are coming forward with horrifying cases.
Families have been destroyed.
Children have been pushed to extreme poverty and their future destroyed after the unfair dismissal of their mothers who were breadwinners.
As the NFP we have called on our councillors in the municipality to act firmly. They will give the necessary support to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs during an investigation into a case of the violation of Code of Conduct of Councillors by the Mayor.
Our councillors will also give police the necessary support to effectively investigate and effect arrest without any hindrance.
We call upon municipal workers and society at large to give the same support to the police.
Sexual abuse is the crime that affect our families and communities and it is vital that as society we must be integrally involved in the campaign against this scourge.
Ends
Issued by the President of the National Freedom Party Ivan Rowen Barnes
