IFP KwaZulu-Natal Premier candidate Thami Ntuli. (Darren Stewart/Garo Images)
- The IFP says it is concerned about the safety of KwaZulu-Natal premier candidate Thami Ntuli.
- The party claims that his motorcade was ambushed and harassed twice by gunmen and police officers.
- Everything you need to know about the 2024 general election on News24 Election Hub.
The IFP alleges that the motorcade of KwaZulu-Natal premier candidate Thami Ntuli was harassed by armed men and that police were allegedly taking sides.
On Sunday, Ntuli's motorcade was reportedly blocked by a vehicle carrying armed men wearing balaclavas.
The incident allegedly took place a month after Interpol complained that Mr Ntuli was “harassed” by a group of police officers and members of the Durban Metropolitan Police Service while on his way to a radio interview in Cornubia, Durban.
IFP secretary-general Siphoseth Ngcobo told News24 the party was concerned for Ntuli's safety after he had received “threats” from individuals claiming to be police officers.
On Sunday evening, Ntuli's motorcade reportedly encountered a plain Ford Ranger near Esihaleni.
IFP said a car carrying the four men “forced cut-off” in Ntuli's motorcade on the N2 near Richards Bay.
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News24 asked Ntuli to explain the situation at the scene but he said Ngcobo would speak on his behalf on the matter.
Ngcobo said Ntuli's security forces tried to flee from the Ford Ranger but the rangers caught up with them and intercepted them at the junction of the John Ross Highway and the N2.
He added that four gun-toting men wearing police overalls and balaclavas then aimed their weapons directly at Ntuli's bodyguards and cocked their “cannons”.
Ngcobo said:
The four men yelled: “Get on the ground. Why are you driving recklessly on the road?”
At this point, Ntuli spoke to his men and the matter was resolved, he added.
Minutes earlier, Ntuli's bodyguards had spotted a Ford Ranger following them for a “long distance”, Ngcobo said.
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“It is important to highlight that these individuals did not present any identifying marks or certificates proving their affiliation with the National Intelligence Agency or any other law enforcement agency. Moreover, their vehicles did not bear any official branding or insignia,” he added in a statement.
After the first incident in April, the IFP warned police to “stay out of politics” and “remain neutral”.
At the time of writing, KwaZulu-Natal police had not responded to questions about the incident. We will update this article as soon as we receive a response.
