Thami Ntuli warns of potential chaos after NFP exits provincial government

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has warned of the consequences of a successful vote of no confidence against him, which he said was aimed at collapsing the provincial government, and that this would be detrimental to the people of the province. 

He was reacting to the National Freedom Party (NFP)’s withdrawal from the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). 

The NFP holds the balance of power in the provincial legislature. 

The party, whose leader Ivan Barnes supported last month’s unsuccessful motion against Ntuli, would now join the opposition bench.

The party is currently holding disciplinary hearings against its MPL, Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga, for defying its order to vote in favour of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) motion, which EFF supported, to oust Ntuli. 

This motion was defeated after Shinga opted to vote along with the DA, ANC, and IFP in support of Ntuli. 

“They are not targeting me, but they are targeting the entire GPU, because a successful vote of no confidence means that the entire executive will have to resign,” said Ntuli.

There was still a possibility for another similar motion, as the legislature’s Rule Book allows it as long as it has not been raised by the same MPL who raised the previous one.

“Any member can raise it, but not the one who raised the previous one,” said Ntuli. 

Ntuli, who is the IFP provincial chairperson, said the NFP’s decision was a call for talks.

Ntuli indicated that coalitions can be challenging, suggesting that this is a call for dialogue for the benefit of KwaZulu-Natal's citizens.

MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said the NFP’s decision paved the way for a new government to be led by it, and to include the EFF and NFP.

“This decision marks a turning point in the ongoing struggle to restore democratic legitimacy and people-centred leadership in KwaZulu-Natal.

“We extend an open and principled hand to all progressive organisations committed to genuine transformation to join us in building a government that truly reflects the will of the electorate,” said Ndhlela in a statement.

The EFF welcomed the NFP’s withdrawal from the GPU, which it said would now clear the path for the successful vote against Ntuli.

EFF Provincial Spokesperson Chris Msibi said the NFP’s decision has left the GPU hanging in the balance.

“Anything can happen right now,” he said.

Msibi said that if another motion of no confidence against Ntuli were to be tabled, the opposition parties, including the NFP, would succeed.

“We will defeat them as long as they (NFP) are not bringing in Mbali part two.

“If they bring in Barnes, we are confident that we will take over the provincial government,” said Msibi.

However, he said the secret vote, as opposed to an open ballot, would assist, as some ANC and IFP MPLs were unhappy with the composition of the GPU, and supported the MKP to lead the government.  

“Since the removal of the premier is actually the collapse of the government, we will have to constitute a new provincial government,” said Msibi.

Barnes told the media in Durban on Friday that the GPU lacked accountability and ethics. 

“KwaZulu-Natal is no longer governed in the democratic sense of the word.

“The political elites of the ANC, IFP, and DA have demonstrated a reckless willingness to burn this province to preserve power and privilege, with no regard for the future of the next generation,” said Barnes.

NFP Provincial Deputy Secretary Zethembe Ngobese said his party had withdrawn from GPU with immediate effect, meaning “we are going to the opposition desk”. 

“Even our sole representative (Shinga) was notified about this decision,” said Ngobese.

He said the ANC had invited the NFP to a meeting on January 13 to convince it to remain in the GPU.

“But we told them that on the 13th, we are committed to another matter and that we will give them another date suitable for us.

“Whoever wants to talk to the NFP must come to the NFP because we are not beggars.” 

He said the NPF would only talk to parties that are willing to discuss in principle.

“We advocate for the government that works for the people, not what is happening right now,” said Ngobese.

The NFP was aggrieved that the IFP and the ANC did not deliver their promise, reached in the build-up to the GPU, that if it joined the government, it would be given certain municipalities, including the Zululand District Municipality, to govern.

“We gave them the province, and they would have no province and premier without the NFP, as they did not have enough numbers without the NFP,” he said. 

Ngobese said the GPU is compromised and requires political parties that can deliver the will of the people.

“If we are no longer part of the set-up, there is no more GPU since there would be 39 (GPU parties’ MPLs) and 40 (opposition MPLs).

“If the new government has to be formed, we will get in that government on condition that corruption is addressed with immediate effect,” said Ngobese.

DA Provincial Leader Francois Rodgers expressed regret that Shinga would leave the Cabinet. 

“The DA found MEC Shinga to be one of the best performing members in the provincial executive. The motive remains questionable as it is not about her service delivery failures,” said Rodgers.

ANC Provincial Coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu said his party wanted to discuss with the NFP the implications of the withdrawal.

“The NFP has to take its partners into its confidence in explaining directly to us as partners what has changed and what the reasons are for their decision,” said Mabuyakhulu.

He said that the provincial government was still stable unless there was another attempt at a vote of no confidence against Ntuli. 

“The Constitution is very clear that the majority of the legislature members, meaning 41 or more, can only vote in support of a vote of no confidence to the premier or the executive council.

“It is not possible that those who are against the GPU would be able to master 41 or more members. We say to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, remain calm,” said Mabuyakhulu.

Political analyst Susan Booysen said: “This is the lesson that the small political parties can also be powerful.”

bongani.hans@inl.co.za