Mr Speaker, the ANC is deeply concerned about the recent public violence between supporters of the IFP and the NFP in T- section, Umlazi. This outbreak, which has claimed the lives of two people and led to 30 houses and several businesses being set alight in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, illustrates the lack of tolerance shown by supporters of these political parties. Even though there is no great clarity on the reason for the violent flare-ups, provocation and the singing of songs vilifying the respective parties cannot be condoned. Such intolerance works against the kind of country we want to build and brings back visions of the violence that ravaged the province in the late 1980s.
However, it is encouraging to see the two leaders of the political parties involved speaking to their supporters, denouncing the violence and calling for calm. The main challenge now is to deal with the damaged houses and displaced people. The ANC calls on the parties involved to end the violence and respect the views of their opponents. [Applause.]