IFP angry over proposed de-establishment

A proposed redetermination of municipal boundaries in KwaZulu-Natal could lead to the Zululand Hlabisa municipality being de-established, angering the IFP, which says the proposed changes are part of the ANC’s efforts to redraw municipal borders in its favour.

The Municipal Demarcation Board has published proposed changes to current municipal boundaries in the province in preparation for the 2014 provincial and national elections.

However, this is a long process, whose first phase involves soliciting submissions from individuals and interested parties.

The redetermination of boundaries seeks to eliminate problems such as farms stretching across two municipalities, which creates problems in determining rates.

In KZN, the proposed redetermination of boundaries could result in the Hlabisa municipality, currently governed by the IFP, being incorporated into the Big Five municipality (Hluhluwe).

The IFP spokesman on co-operative governance, inkosi Bonga Mdletshe, said the proposed change sought to move its stronghold into the hands of the ANC: “The move to combine the municipalities is evidence of the ANC’s misuse of power.

“It is disturbing that the ruling party would stoop this low to eradicate the IFP and overpower those areas that are IFP strongholds,” he added.

Mdletshe said his party had advised the demarcation board of the consequences of the proposed move.

“The IFP also wants to warn the ANC of misusing its power in order to serve its needs by fooling the communities in these municipalities,” he said.

Out of touch

However, the chairman of the ANC in far northern KZN, Thokozane Ngema, said Mdletshe was out of touch with the situation of rural towns in the area.

“The reality is that on the ground here there is agreement among stakeholders, which are local IFP, ANC and NFP leaders, that Hlabisa is not sustainable as a stand-alone municipality. It has no revenue base and we all agree that it should be incorporated into the Big Five municipality,” he said.

The chairwoman of the demarcation board, Landiwe Mahlangu, said the board had received several proposals on the issue of Hlabisa, which were being considered.

“At this point in time, no decision has been taken on the matter. The municipal boundary redetermination process is intended to be finalised in 2013,” she said.

Responding to the IFP’s accusations, Mahlangu said the board was an independent entity that dealt with demarcation matters in a fair and impartial manner.

“The IFP, like any other stakeholder, has the fullest opportunity to comment and contribute on all the proposed boundary changes,” she said.