NFP pulls out of KZN unity government, orders MEC Shinga to resign
Amid rising tensions internally, the National Freedom Party has asked its member, Mbali Shinga, to resign as the Social Development MEC.
Image: File/Sizwe Sibiya
The National Freedom Party (NFP) has resolved to withdraw from the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), with immediate effect.
The decision was taken by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at a meeting held on January 5. The decision is binding on all party structures, deployees and office bearers.
The NFP said the resolution was adopted in line with its constitution and reflects the collective will of its leadership.
As part of the withdrawal, the NEC has instructed the party’s provincial chairperson, Mbali Shinga, to resign from her position as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Social Development by 9am on January 8.
Shinga is the NFP’s only Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) and its sole representative in the GPU.
In a formal directive, the party said Shinga must notify the office of the KZN Premier, the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature and the acting secretary-general of the NFP once her resignation has been tendered.
The NEC stressed that the instruction was not intended to undermine Shinga’s service but to enforce party discipline and adherence to collective decisions.
“It is a call to consistency, unity and fidelity to the decisions of the NEC,” the party said, adding that it expected the matter to be treated with urgency.
The withdrawal follows growing tensions between Shinga and the party leadership.
In December, the NFP supported a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli, tabled by the MK Party.
However, the vote could not proceed after chaotic scenes disrupted the sitting.
Shinga is facing internal disciplinary charges, including gross misconduct, insubordination and defiance of party directives.
The charges relate to her alleged refusal to comply with the party’s instruction to support the motion of no confidence against Ntuli.
Attempts to obtain comment from Shinga were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The NFP has indicated that a media briefing will be convened to outline the implications of its withdrawal from the GPU and its next political steps.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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