Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder Mangosuthu Buthelezi heavily criticised the African National Congress during his party's manifesto launch, saying the civil unrest in July was the collateral damage of an internal war in the ruling party.

"The civil uprising that brought chaos to our streets and devastation to our economy was born of a deliberate strategy of putting politics before every other consideration, even the lives of South Africans. South Africa was dragged into their internal political war, and we all became collateral damage," Buthelezi said before a 250-strong crowd at the Greyville Convention Centre in Durban on Thursday evening.

IFP president Velenkosi Hlabisa launched the party's manifesto, announcing intentions aimed at curbing corruption, creating jobs, better policing and water and food security.

Buthelezi said he was pained that the ANC, "the very people I fought for", were the same ones bringing the country to its knees.

"For the sake of securing political power, they turned our freedom struggle into a political battle marked by violence, in which innocent lives were lost. Now, for the sake of maintaining factional political power, a violent battle has been unleashed again.

"And again, lives have been lost. Supply chains have been damaged. Businesses have been ruined and livelihoods destroyed. Our economy has taken a hit that runs into billions when already we were deep in crisis."

He said he could not "fathom" how a party could destroy its own country for the sake of internal factional politics.

"Our country is governed by a party that puts itself first, far ahead of the people it is meant to serve, far ahead of our needs, and even our survival. Indeed, South Africa cannot survive a leadership like this. If we, the people, do not act now, the governing party will utterly destroy what little is left," he added.

Buthelezi said when President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke of "nine wasted years", alluding to former president Jacob Zuma's term of office, "we had hoped that things would now change."

"But two years later our country is more deeply mired in corruption than ever before. Even the Covid-19 pandemic has given them opportunities to steal from our people, with billions going missing in Covid relief funds, and PPE tender fraud. And no one is held accountable," he added.

IFP councillors

Buthelezi said citizens should understand their needs, adding that councillors were the first line of service delivery.

"So, you want to be sure that your councillor is someone you know and someone you trust. Someone who will take your call and will prioritise your needs. Who will take up your cause in the municipal council and find a solution."

He said the IFP prides itself on fielding councillor candidates "who are honest, capable and skilled".

"People who understand and accept the discipline demanded by the IFP. We hold our councillors accountable every day because they are our ambassadors. They carry the IFP's brand in all that they do.

"We are, therefore, heavily invested in ensuring that they serve you with integrity, accountability and skill. We never hesitate as the leadership of the IFP to remove and expel any IFP councillors and even mayors if we are not satisfied with their performance."

Buthelezi said on the flip side of the coin, the party also supported councillors as much as they demanded high standards.

"They are backed by the full strength of the IFP so that when they take up your cause, you have the weight of the IFP behind you. It is this that has always made the IFP feel like a family. We understand that no one is going to get ahead at the expense of someone else. If you suffer, so do I. If your family suffers, so does mine. We are in this together," Buthelezi said.