{
  "id": 4833045,
  "title": "‘Exercise restraint, tolerance and respect’: Hlabisa condemns political attack on IFP volunteers in KZN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/exercise-restraint-tolerance-and-respect-hlabisa-condemns-political",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T09:28:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/elections/exercise-restraint-tolerance-and-respect-hlabisa-condemns-political-attack-on-ifp-volunteers-in-kzn/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three months prior to the local government elections, IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged all rival political parties in KwaZulu-Natal to maintain tolerance and respect. This plea came after some of the party’s volunteers were physically attacked while placing campaign posters near KwaNyuswa, situated south of the province. The party has stated that the police are currently investigating the incident. During a press conference on Monday, Hlabisa expressed strong disapproval of the attackers, warning them that such behaviour is wholly unacceptable. He implored all political parties, activists, and communities to exercise restraint, tolerance, and respect. He emphasized that elections should be a contest of ideas, policies, and leadership, not a contest of intimidation and violence.\n\nHlabisa is not the only political figure expressing concern about political violence and designated no-go areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The Economic Freedom Fighters' Julius Malema recently addressed his supporters in Pietermaritzburg, urging them not to be intimidated by the IFP. He stated that no one, including the IFP, can stop him from campaigning. Malema cautioned that if voters are scared of the IFP or the ANC, their votes will be stolen. He further suggested that those who are not afraid should join together with the IFP and other parties on the same political table.\n\nIn terms of election preparations, the IFP has submitted its councillor and proportional representation candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) before the August 28 deadline. Hlabisa announced that the IFP will have 3,188 candidates in total, consisting of 1,922 ward candidates and 1,266 proportional representation candidates. This represents a significant increase from the 2021 election, where the IFP fielded 2,570 candidates across 105 municipalities. Hlabisa also mentioned that the IFP is expanding its reach beyond KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrating its growing presence across the country. He highlighted that this growth signifies the party's commitment to becoming a national force and not merely a regional one.\n\nThe IFP will unveil its election manifesto at the Princess Magogo stadium in Durban later this month. Hlabisa stressed that the manifesto will present an original, clear, and credible alternative plan to address the pressing needs of the communities. The manifesto will emphasize ethical leadership, accountable government, effective service delivery, and respect for the communities. Additionally, the deputy minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has been appointed as the IFP's mayoral candidate for the City of eThekwini. Hlengwa is a deputy minister, a former IFP Youth Brigade Chairperson, and a Member of Parliament since 2012.",
  "summary": "Hlabisa has condemned the violent assault on three IFP volunteers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}