Today at 16h00, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi will lead the entire IFP Parliamentary delegation to purchase flowers from the street sellers who have been cut off from their usual business on their most important day of the year because of the unusual, extravagant and ostentatious security arrangements made for the opening of Parliament, which far exceed even what was in place during apartheid and the armed struggle.

For decades flower sellers have looked forward to Valentines Day as the most important revenue-generating occasion. Today people can only reach them if they are prepared to walk as the entire area has been cut off from ordinary traffic.

The IFP does not quite understand from what threats President Zuma feels that he must protect himself from when not even state President PW Botha set up such extra-ordinary measures during the time of the state of emergency.

IFP Parliamentary Caucus' Media Liaison Officer, Boniswa Tiwe; 072 497 1252