KZN GPU coalition at risk as NFP leaders exchange blows during meeting
The National Freedom Party (NFP) president, Ivan Barnes, is increasingly becoming isolated as he is trying to withdraw the party from the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). On Wednesday, Barnes engaged in a fisticuffs with uThukela District chairperson exposing heightened tension within the party ahead of its 15th anniversary on January 25, amid growing calls to remove him from his position.
Image: Supplied
A National Freedom Party (NFP) disciplinary hearing turned chaotic on Wednesday when uThukela District chairperson Manqoba Dlamini clashed physically with party president Ivan Barnes. The incident occurred during the disciplinary hearing of KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Social Development Mbali Shinga, called over her role in the vote of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli.
Dlamini explained that the confrontation began after Barnes referred to them as “guys”, prompting Dlamini to call him to order.
“When you are addressing a person, you either refer to them by their surname, because we are seniors and comrades. When we were leaving, he wanted to start a fight. I am familiar with fighting; I grew up in a rural area. I won’t be intimidated by another boy, because to me, his behaviour showed me that he is a boy,” Dlamini said.
Fists flew betwen National Freedom Party leader Ivan Barnes and uThukela District chairperson Manqoba Dlamini, outside the venue where the disciplinary hearing of NFP member of the KZN provincial legislature and MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga was underway on Wednesday. Shinga got into Barnes' crosshairs for voting in favour of KZN Premier Thami Ntuli in a motion of no confidence.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
A circulating video shows Dlamini shouting expletives at Barnes as bystanders intervened. Police were eventually called to separate the two men at the hotel where the meeting took place.
The violent incident underscores growing divisions within the NFP. National chairperson Shevu Mkhabela broke ranks with Barnes, publicly calling for his removal. Speaking at an impromptu media briefing at the Edward Hotel, Mkhabela and the provincial executive committee (PEC) members voiced support for Shinga. Outside the venue, more than 100 party members rallied behind Shinga, carrying placards that read “Hands off Shinga.”
Mkhabela, who also serves as eDumbe Local Municipality Mayor, accused Barnes of acting as “a project of a certain political party” to destabilise the provincial government. He argued that Barnes had violated the party constitution by intervening in Shinga’s disciplinary proceedings, which, according to Section 11, should be initiated by her branch and PEC, not the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“In terms of our constitution, the president or NEC has no authority to suspend, charge, or recall members from their government positions. NFP structures enjoy some autonomy, and Shinga’s branch and PEC have not taken such a decision. They remain committed to defending her and the provincial government,” Mkhabela said.
National Freedom Party supporters protested outside the Edward Hotel in Durban where provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga was undergoing a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.
Image: Willem Phungula
Barnes’ stance comes ahead of an expected meeting with other GPU parties, including the ANC and DA, this weekend. He has threatened to remove the NFP from the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), potentially destabilising the coalition and triggering early elections.
Meanwhile, the IFP, the GPU’s leading party, confirmed it would meet with Barnes and his executive. IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala denied NFP claims that his party had undermined the national leadership, saying that ongoing engagement with Shinga as provincial leader remains part of the agreed process.
He also revealed that Barnes requested a ministerial position from President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of the GPU negotiations, a request that was rejected.
A few days before its 15th anniversary, the National Freedom Party is showing heightened divisions that escalated in a physical clash between party leader Ivan Barnes with some members who are against provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga's disciplinary hearing.
Image: Screenshot
NFP Secretary-General Sunset Xaba did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday’s events.
The NFP, a breakaway party of the IFP, was founded by the late Zanele kaMagwaza Msibi, who was the chairperson of the IFP and KZN premier candidate in 2009, before establishing the party in January 2011, after she was seen as too ambitious within the IFP.
The party holds a single seat in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature but has become a kingmaker in the GPU. With Barnes increasingly isolated and calls for his removal gaining traction, the party faces a pivotal moment in its political future in the very same month it was established 15 years ago.