NFP says battle to oust KZN Premier Thami Ntuli is far from over
The NFP says the fight to remove KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli is far from over.
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The National Freedom Party (NFP) has warned that the fight to oust KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli is not over.
A motion of no confidence against Ntuli failed in the KZN Legislature on Monday; however, the NFP is adamant that his days as premier are numbered. Political analysts share this view and added that the IFP either needs to find “something to appease” NFP leader Ivan Barnes or Ntuli will be removed as Premier.
While the NFP is part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) with the IFP, DA, and ANC, it had resolved to support the no-confidence motion brought by the MK Party as it said it was dissatisfied with the governance of the GPU led by Ntuli.
National Freedom Party President Ivan Barnes
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However, the party's only member in the KZN Legislature, Mbali Shinga, defied the party's mandate by voting with the GPU to retain Ntuli during Monday's vote. Shinga, who serves as MEC for Social Development, is at loggerheads with the current NFP leadership.
The leadership tried to remove her from the legislature, and she took them to court. Heading to the vote on the motion of no confidence, the party demanded she vote in support of the motion, but she stated that she would not vote against a government she was part of.
NFP acting general secretary, Bheki Xaba, stated that Ntuli should not believe he is safe in his position. “We maintain our position regarding Ntuli's removal. The last event where we fell short was not the end of the world. We will keep on trying.”
He added that the party would address Shinga’s defiance.
“Yes, the letter requesting her response was communicated to her on 16 December 2025. She responded with her written speech delivered during the legislature debate proceedings, but no detailed report was provided as to why she defied the party mandate, nor a response to the request for her to provide the leadership with reasons 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.”
He said the party's national executive committee would meet to determine a way forward based on Shinga's response to the matter. Pressed on whether this could result in suspension, he said, “I cannot give any ruling on that part. As I said, the NEC will sit and make a decision," he stated.
Political analysts have indicated that the premier's stay in power is directly linked to the ructions in the NFP.
Thabani Khumalo said, “What happened on Monday was a direct challenge to the leader of the party, Barnes, regarding whether he is in control of the party or not. It seems clear they might recall the MEC, but they want to do it in a procedural way. If they do recall the MEC, that will mean that Ntuli’s days as Premier are numbered because whoever the NFP deploys next to the legislature will execute the mandate of the party,” said Khumalo.
Political analyst Professor Musa Xulu said the NFP's desire to vote with MK Party reflects some state of political confusion on their part, “as they would have had to vote themselves out first and hope to be accommodated in an MKP-led GPU, where they would again end up with one portfolio. It is politically unusual for a political party to vote itself out of power such as the NFP is eager to do.”