KZN MEC Shinga under tight security as NFP disciplinary hearing continues amid tensions

Sources in the National Freedom Party have revealed that security has been increased around Shinga following what they termed “concerns,” saying it was clear there are some people who want her position by hook or by crook.

Shinga has been thrust into the spotlight after she refused to vote for a motion of no confidence brought by the Umkhonto weSizwe Party against KZN Premier Thami Ntuli. The NFP is a key member of the GPU, which includes the IFP, ANC, and DA.

These developments have laid bare the tensions in the party. A video circulating online shows party president Ivan Barnes involved in a scuffle with another leader this week. The Mercury understands that the other leader is part of a faction opposed to Barnes and took exception to how he was addressed by Barnes, leading to the scuffle.

The heightened security around Shinga comes as the Inkatha Freedom Party has also revealed that there have been death threats directed at the premier. The IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature said it condemns in the strongest possible terms the vile and dangerous death threats directed at Premier Ntuli, which are circulating openly on social media. A source in the NFP said Shinga is facing a difficult time as there are people seeking to take her position.

“The security around her has been beefed up; she now has 24-hour security, which is not nice. It was after there were concerns around her safety.”

The source spoke openly about tensions in the party. “You saw the fight between leaders; we really do not want the current president, Ivan Barnes. He does not respect the party members; he takes decisions on his own and demands that the rest of us comply. Even the attempt to remove Shinga is for his personal benefit; he does not have the power to remove the provincial chairperson. I can tell you now that Shinga is not going anywhere, and the GPU will continue to stand.”

One of her colleagues stated, “You can’t speak on matters of security in public because revealing the details just compromises her security. This is something that is being taken very seriously amid all these tensions, as she is seen as someone on the rise.”

“We cannot run away from the fact that there are people eyeing her position; they see themselves occupying that position and, to be quite frank, they are intent on taking over; they want her position by hook or by crook,” said the NFP insider.

“We can’t discuss her security in public because if you say it has been strengthened, that means these forces will now double their efforts, whereas if you reveal any details, the enemy will know and adjust accordingly.”

The source said Shinga was standing true to the party’s decision to join the GPU. “Joining the GPU was a decision taken by the party; it cannot be that now that someone is angry over something they have not gotten, we suddenly want to abandon the GPU. We joined the GPU because we understood the importance of a stable government.”

The official said the tension in the party will pass. “We have been through worse. We lost the founding president; that was one of the most difficult times for the party. There were times when we did not contest the elections, and everybody thought that the party was dead, but we came back; we will overcome this situation too.”

He said they are, however, concerned about the impact that the internal battles are having on the party. The premier’s office declined to comment and directed questions to Shinga’s office. Barnes had not responded to a request for comment.

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