Chaos erupts in KZN legislature over motion of no confidence against premier Thami Ntuli

The KZN Legislature descended into chaos as members of the uMkhonto weSiwe Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) demanded a secret ballot, singing on the floor and disrupting proceedings during a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli.

The disruption happened on Monday following a ruling by KZN Speaker Nontembeko Boyce against a secret ballot. 

The MK Party argued that members had received threats and would not feel free to vote openly, insisting that a secret ballot was necessary. 

Boyce, however, rejected the demand, prompting MK and EFF members to break into song on the legislative floor.

“Asina uvalo ngalento asiyenzayo (we’ve got no fear of what we are doing),” they sang loudly.

Boyce struggled to restore order, warning members they would be removed if they did not return to their seats. 

She eventually called on the police to escort disruptive members out.

However, some MK Party members resisted. “Guns are not allowed in the house,” they told the police.

Proceedings were temporarily suspended as a result.

Earlier in the debate, IFP MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, sharply criticised the MK Party, calling it a “scam” and accusing its leader of being “thugs and thieves” seeking to destabilise the province.

“It is not about the leadership of Premier Thami Ntuli, but today is an opportunity for this house to expose the MK Party for the scam that it is,” Buthelezi said. 

He defended Ntuli’s 18-month record, saying the Government of Provincial Unity had restored law and order and that the province’s economy was growing under his leadership.

“The motion today is a choice - a choice between stability and anarchy, a choice between the rule of law and the rule of the jungle, a choice between putting the people first and placing them at the mercy of Duduzile Zuma (former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter) and her friends,” he said.

MK Party member Sizwe Mbatha countered, criticising Ntuli for his handling of the province’s crises. 

“Even when there’s a fire in a township house, we act to extinguish the flames. KwaZulu-Natal is burning, and the premier doesn’t have enough water to stop the fire. He is holding a teaspoon of water, trying to stop flames he cannot stop,” Mbatha said.

He added that Ntuli was “not governing the province but serving as an administrator babysat by a frightened coalition” and argued that the province was “collapsing because the premier is too small for the job.”

Meanwhile, the ANC in KZN confirmed it would vote against the motion.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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