Back in ANC fold, without IFP clothing
South Coast businessman Hassan Motala at the ANC offices in Durban, where he once again pledged his allegiance to the ruling party yesterday. Picture: Ryan Shepherd South Coast businessman Hassan Motala at the ANC offices in Durban, where he once again pledged his allegiance to the ruling party yesterday. Picture: Ryan Shepherd
THE saga over the political affiliation of KwaZulu-Natal businessman Hassan Motala took another turn yesterday when, for the second time in a week, he emerged with the ANC, declaring he was a member of the ruling party.
This was just three days after he appeared at the IFP offices in IFP attire, alleging that the ANC had “blackmailed and intimidated” him.
Last Thursday, Motala appeared on television in a new ANC T-shirt. A tug-of-war ensued between the IFP and ANC, with each claiming him as its own.
Yesterday, the South Coast businessman was back in front of the media.
But this time he made a personal call to The Mercury inviting it to an interview at which he declared that he was back in the ANC fold. He said he had not been forced to join the ANC.
“I would like to place it on record that I am a member of the ANC.” Asked if he had been lying when he said on Monday that the ANC had blackmailed him, Motala said: “That is in the past. I think you should deal with the IFP on that.”
Motala described himself as a “very influential member of the IFP” and party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s “confidant”.
ANC provincial executive member Senzo Mkhize said the ANC was disturbed by what happened on Monday.
Motala said he had resigned from the IFP yesterday morning. He said his family did not have any business dealings with the KwaZulu-Natal government. On Monday, Motala said his family had extensive government contracts.
IFP spokesman Musa Zondi said it was clear Motala was playing games with his party.
The ANC and IFP would not say why Motala was so important to them, with each having said he had joined it voluntarily.