NFP to meet ANC and MK as GPU collapse reshapes KZN politics

The National Freedom Party (NFP) is set to meet the ANC and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party on Saturday, following its dramatic withdrawal from KwaZulu-Natal’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

The meetings — to be held separately — will be the first between the parties since the NFP exited the coalition.

The party, despite holding just one seat, is seen as the kingmaker in the provincial legislature and holds the balance of power in crucial votes, including the recent motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli.

The NFP accused Ntuli of failing to deliver on GPU promises, engaging in corruption, and prioritising personal gain over service delivery.

However, the party itself is mired in internal conflict, with power struggles over its sole legislative seat. While the NFP announced its support for the motion to remove Ntuli, its sole representative in the legislature — Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga — defied party instructions and abstained from the vote. This allowed Ntuli to survive the motion and led to the NFP’s withdrawal from the coalition, as well as Shinga’s suspension.

Tensions escalated further this week when a physical altercation broke out at a disciplinary hearing against Shinga.

Party leader Ivan Barnes clashed with Shinga supporters, including uThukela district chairperson Manqoba Dlamini, who demanded Barnes step down.

Ntuli, who also leads the IFP in the province, confirmed to IOL that his party is eager to engage with the NFP to address its concerns. The DA has also reportedly requested a meeting, but the NFP has so far rebuffed these overtures and will only meet the ANC and MK on Saturday.

The MK party views the NFP’s departure from the GPU as a strategic opening to strengthen its opposition to the coalition and attempt another no-confidence vote. The ANC, IFP and DA are expected to work to avoid this outcome, including considering the NFP’s demand to replace Shinga in the legislature.

The coalition now faces a difficult decision: keep Shinga in place — risking a repeat of her abstention and a possible defeat in a renewed confidence vote — or replace her with someone more loyal to Barnes, who may back the MK's effort to unseat Ntuli.

The outcome could shift the balance of power — again — in South Africa’s most politically volatile province.

IOL Politics