DA reaffirms commitment to KZN Government of Provincial Unity after NFP's withdrawal
DA KZN leader Francois Rodgers has reaffirmed the party's commitment to the KZN Government of Provincial Unity.
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it remains committed to the government of provincial unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal despite the decision by the National Freedom Party (NFP) to withdraw from the coalition government.
The GPU is comprised of the IFP, DA, ANC and the NFP. The NFP, while only holding one seat in the 80-member KZN Provincial Legislature, has significant power as its one seat gave the GPU the 41 seats it needed to form a government.
If the NFP leaves the GPU and sides with the MK Party and EFF, there would be a 40-40 split in government. As it stands, the MK Party has the most seats - 37, the EFF two and the NFP one. The IFP holds 15 seats, the ANC 14 and the DA 11.
DA leader Francois Rodgers stated they will continue to engage with the NFP in order to ensure the stability of the province.
It has been reported that the NFP had resolved to withdraw from the GPU this week. The party had indicated a few weeks ago that it wanted to exit the partnership and had even directed its only Member of the Provincial Legislature and Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga, to vote in support of the motion of no confidence that was tabled by the MK Party against the premier Thami Ntuli.
Shinga refused to vote for the motion of no confidence and is now facing disciplinary action by the party, which had already been trying to remove her from the post.
The disciplinary hearing against her is expected to conclude Thursday, with the party set to speak on the issue at a press briefing on Friday.
It has also been reported that Shinga had been instructed to resign as an MEC by today.
Rodgers said the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has noted the decision of the NFP to withdraw from the GPU.
“Obviously, this is a choice that each political party can make; however, what we do question is what the motive behind it is. From our perspective as a party in the GPU, we have found Mbali Shinga as MEC to be one of the better performing MECs in the GPU.
If this is about service delivery, then this (decision) is questionable. Ultimately, as a member of the GPU, the DA remains committed to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and will continue to engage with like-minded parties, including the NFP, to ensure there is stability in the GPU and the province remains stable,” he said.