Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Velonkosini Hlabisa has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the impasse between the IFP and the ANC after tensions between the two parties escalated during an event to commemorate the 110th anniversary of King Dinuzulu’s death recently.

During the event held last Saturday, ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma interrupted the traditional prime minister to the Zulu nation, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, by grabbing his microphone.

The incident caused a huge outcry as Duma was accused of disrespecting the King and the Royal Household.

While apologising to the King, the KZN ANC refused to apologise to Buthelezi, doubling down on the incident by claiming Duma’s actions had prevented hostilities from erupting.

During a media briefing in Durban on Friday, Hlabisa said that the IFP was ready to engage with the ANC. “I received a letter on Wednesday morning from the provincial secretary of the ANC purporting to seek what he called ‘peace talks’ with the IFP.

He has since responded in a letter to Ramaphosa. Read more about the matter here.