MK Party MPL injured as chaos erupts in KZN legislature after Ntuli survives no-confidence vote

An MK Party member of the provincial legislature (MPL) was injured and taken to the hospital after chaos erupted in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on Monday, following the failure of a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli.

The injured MPL, believed to be a woman, was transported by ambulance to a medical facility. 

Some MK Party members have reportedly alleged she was kicked by police as officers moved in to restore order inside the chamber. 

Police have not yet commented on the allegation.

The violence broke out after KZN Speaker Nontembeko Boyce announced that the motion had failed following an open ballot.

“The motion has failed. Honourable Ntuli remains the premier. The house is adjourned,” Boyce said after declaring the results.

Her announcemented led to violence from MK Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members, who had demanded a secret ballot rather than the open vote authorised by the Speaker.

Tensions escalated as MK Party and EFF members clashed with police who were called in to restore order. 

Earlier, the legislature had descended into disorder after Boyce rejected demands for a secret ballot. 

MK Party and EFF members sang on the floor of the House and repeatedly disrupted proceedings.

The MK Party argued that some members had received threats and would not feel safe voting openly, insisting a secret ballot was necessary to ensure fairness. 

Boyce dismissed the request and warned members to return to their seats or face removal.

When disruptions continued, police were instructed to escort members from the chamber. Some MK Party members resisted, shouting, “Guns are not allowed in the House.”

The situation worsened when water was thrown at the police. 

Officers were seen pushing back MK Party members as they attempted to regain control. 

Shortly after announcing the results, Boyce was seen being jostled by some MK Party members.

The motion required at least 41 votes to pass in the 80-member legislature. It received 40 votes in favour, with 39 against.

The MK Party, which holds 37 seats, secured the backing of the EFF’s two seats and one National Freedom Party (NFP) seat, leaving it one vote short of the required majority.

The Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) - made up of the Inkatha Freedom Party (15 seats), the African National Congress (14), the Democratic Alliance (11) and the NFP (one) - holds a narrow majority of 41 votes.

The MK Party has sought to remove Ntuli in a bid to take control of the provincial government, accusing him of leading an underperforming administration marked by corruption, financial mismanagement, poor service delivery and failure to address unemployment in the province among others.

Meanwhile, Ntuli remains in office.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics