NFP NEC to discuss KZN MEC Shinga's defiance in failed no-confidence vote
National Freedom Party President Ivan Barnes
Image: Independent Media Archives
The top leadership of the National Freedom Party (NFP) is set to meet to discuss the future of its sole member in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature after she defied an instruction to vote for the motion of no confidence in Premier Thami Ntuli.
The motion, tabled by the MK Party and which was also supported by the EFF, failed on Monday amid chaotic scenes in the House due to the Speaker refusing the request for a secret ballot.
The NFP is part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) which includes the IFP, DA and ANC however the party had expressed its dissatisfaction with the leadership of the coalition government and Ntuli and had ordered Mbali Shinga to support the motion.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga defied the National Freedom Party leadership who had instructed her to vote in favour of the motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli.
Image: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development / Facebook
However, she voted against it. The party has now written to Shinga, who is Social Development MEC, demanding an explanation on why she defied the party's mandate.
Shinga had previously indicated that she will not vote against the government she is part of.
But on the eve of the vote, party leaders insisted that she would follow the party's mandate and vote with the MKP and the EFF against the GPU, but instead, she defied the party leaders.
Acting Secretary General Bheki Xaba confirmed that correspondence had been sent to Shinga.
“Yes, the letter requesting her response was communicated to her on the 16th of December 2025. She responded with her written speech that she delivered during the legislature debate proceedings, but no detailed report explaining why she defied the party mandate was provided, nor was there a response to the request for her to give the leadership the reason why the party should not invoke NFP constitution section 3.5.1.2, which deals with the suspension of members for violations, gross misconduct, or criminal charges.
“As it stands, the NEC (National Executive Committee) will meet and receive the report from the Acting Secretary General and determine a way forward based on what has been provided by our member,” he said.