South African political parties have spoken out against political intolerance and violence ahead of next year's general elections.

They took part in a panel discussion in Durban on Tuesday, entitled "Creating an environment conducive to free and fair elections".

The event was hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Bantu Holomisa, of the UDM, condemned acts of intolerance.

"We reject any unilateral decisions by one party asking for early elections. It can't be a decision only by the ruling party."

He said both the UDM, and the Congress of the People (Cope), have been victims of political intolerance.

A meeting with Motlanthe

Holomisa proposed that the IEC arrange a meeting with political leaders and President Kgalema Motlanthe to ensure they were all on the same page.

"Perhaps we should punish those leaders who create no-go areas by removing them from the ballot papers..."

ANC provincial chairperson Zweli Mkhize said the ANC was concerned about political intolerance.

"We believe that if there is any situation where an element of intolerance is identified, we must work together to remove it.

He said there had been a number of situations where political choices were made and words had been uttered.

"We need to make sure no person is harmed as a result... We don't believe there should be a platform used for throwing stones."

Winning people's hearts

The Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo) said the IEC should screen all its election officials so that neutrality could be maintained.

He described political criticisms as a platform for "winning the hearts and minds of the people".

He said it was through political criticism that voters would decide who to support.

The DA's Sandra Botha said that as a result of the breakaway party, there was more choice for an alternative government.

The new democratic spirit, she said, could not be undermined.

Botha said that in the past month many political events had been disrupted and she accused the ruling party members of creating the disruptions.

No-go areas should not exist

She said DA members had been pelted with stones, and that South Africa needed to do something.

She said a multi-party task team should be established to prevent political violence inside and outside of the elections.

Several political representatives said that no-go areas should not exist anywhere inside South Africa.

The IFP Musa Zondi called on political parties to ensure the elimination of no-go areas, and work towards a speedy end to disruptions of political meetings, and of inflammatory and irresponsible language.

"We ask, in particular, that the inflammatory language which is emanating from the leader of the ANC Youth League, and other sections of the tripartite alliance, be fearlessly censored."

He said the recent mauling of Cope was an attack "on us all".

MF leader Amichand Rajbansi said that once there was an attempt at coercion, "then the seeds of trouble are sown, it is not right to make any false statements of any political party".

Nadeco leader Hawu Mbatha said politics had become a playing ground for criminals where well-known political parties were hiring people with criminal records.

He said a large percentage of people had concerns, and that it should be that way.

Several political parties made mention of their members being attacked and intimated as a result of political intolerance and had not been following the election code of conduct.

Sapa