By Bheki Mbanjwa
The IFP has entered the fray regarding the bare-handed bull-killing ritual that forms part of the Zulu first fruits ceremony known as umkhosi wokweshwama.
The party yesterday lambasted animal rights activists who are trying to stop the ritual, saying those organisations and individuals had failed to show due respect to Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in their handling of the situation.
"We want to say to all those who want to belittle the Zulus that we will not be intimidated by them but we are willing to confront them anywhere," said IFP MPL Blessed Gwala, tabling a motion at the provincial legislature yesterday.
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Gwala said the IFP supported the Zulu royal household's refusal to attend Tuesday's meeting where the ritual was to be discussed with Animal Rights Africa.
The meeting was convened by the commission for the protection of rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities.
The commission wanted to mediate between the Zulu monarch and Animal Rights Africa, the organisation which earlier this week took its battle to court.
This week the group approached the Pietermaritzburg High Court seeking an interdict to restrain the king from causing or permitting a bull to be slaughtered, or in any way ill-treated, at the ceremony, which is planned for December 5 at the Nyokeni palace in Nongoma.
The application joins Zwelithini and four other respondents: the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the MEC for Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, the minister of police and the premier.
The application also seeks to direct Zwelithini to notify the police of the date, time and venue at which the festival is to be held, and to order the minister of police to ensure that members of the SAPS are present at the festival to ensure compliance with the interdict.
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