NFP’s Mbali Shinga calls for political maturity following KZN Legislature suspension row
National Freedom Party member of the KZN Provincial Legislature Mbali Shinga has appealed for internal party challenges to be settled with political maturity.
Image: KZN Social Development department / Facebook
National Freedom Party (NFP) member of the Provincial Legislature in KwaZulu-Natal Mbali Shinga, who was suspended by her party, has extended “an olive branch” to the party's leadership and appealed for internal political challenges to be resolved politically, organisationally, and with maturity.
Shinga released a statement on Monday to address the second attempt to remove her from the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. After the party suspended her earlier in December, it had written to KZN Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce and informed her that Shinga is barred from representing the party in any capacity and that the party will send a new member.
However, in response, the Speaker’s office stated that the conditions that could lead to such a step being taken by the legislature have not been satisfied by the party.
The NFP took action against Shinga, who is the MEC for Social Development, after she defied the party and voted against the motion of no confidence brought by the MK Party against Premier Thami Ntuli. This was after the NFP president had stated that the party would support the motion.
In her statement, Shinga said while she respected the party, its history, and its structures, this did not mean she would be silent “in the face of actions that risk weakening the very movement we are trying to rebuild”.
“Let me be clear: this matter should never have been allowed to escalate to the Legislature. Internal political challenges must be resolved politically, organisationally, and with maturity — not through actions that create instability, confusion, and public spectacle. Every time we take our internal differences into constitutional institutions, we weaken the organisation and hand ammunition to our opponents. Despite this, I extend an olive branch.
“I extend it not out of weakness, but out of political clarity. The National Freedom Party cannot afford internal wars at a time when South Africans are desperate for credible alternatives, ethical leadership, and grounded governance. The Local Government Elections are approaching, and the work ahead of us is too urgent for division.”
She added that the party's branches needed strengthening and structures to be rebuilt.
“I therefore call on the leadership and all structures of the NFP to pause, reflect, and re-commit to collective leadership. Disagreements will exist — that is the nature of political organisations — but they must be resolved through dialogue, respect for constitutional processes, and a shared commitment to the future of the party.
“My intention has never been to undermine the organisation. My intention is — and remains — to build, to stabilise, and to position the NFP as a serious political force capable of governing, legislating, and serving communities with integrity. I am ready to engage constructively, honestly, and politically with all party structures to move forward together.”