Zuma’s MK Party attempts to oust the KwaZulu-Natal Premier

The governing coalition in KwaZulu-Natal faces its biggest test yet, after the co-governing partner, the National Freedom Party (NFP), issued a statement indicating its loss of confidence in Premier Thami Ntuli.

This signals its potential support for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)-led motion of no confidence against the Premier, tabled a couple weeks ago.

The NFP confirmed that was in talks with parties to pave the way for a new government in KZN.

“The MK Party, as the party that received the largest votes in the province, must be given an opportunity to provide leadership,” said the NFP.

KZN is currently governed by a razor-thin majority coalition comprising the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and the NFP, named the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

Together they make up 41 of the 80 seats in the legislature, with the MKP’s and Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF’s) collective 39 seats in opposition.

Over the weekend, NFP president Ivan Barnes issued a statement saying that “regrettably, what we have witnessed since the formation of the GPU stands in sharp contrast to its ideals.”

“At both the political and governance levels, there have been no meaningful review meetings to assess the performance of our deployees across political parties.”

“Instead, we have observed an erosion of public trust, marked by financial mismanagement and wasteful expenditure, including unnecessary international trips by the Premier,” said Barnes.

This indicates possible support for the motion of no confidence against the Premier, recently tabled by the MKP.

The NFP has one seat in the legislature. If the NFP votes for the motion, but all GPU partners are present to vote against it, that would be a tie at 40 votes each.

A tie does not constitute a majority. In this case, the Premier retains office, and the current GPU coalition remains intact.

Reactions to the motion of no confidence

Newsday previously reported that the MKP leader in the KZN legislature, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, submitted the motion of no confidence.

In his letter, Chiliza’s arguments were similar to that made by the NFP, which was formed as a breakaway party

“The Office of the Premier is evidently suffering from disarray and absence of decisive leadership. Under Premier Ntuli, governance has lost direction, and administrative control over provincial departments is weak.”

In response, Ntuli, speaking as IFP chair, said the KZN government is “stable” and “aggressive in fighting corruption and crime.”

“We have seen stats of crime dropping” and “infrastructure investment in the province is pointing to a positive direction.”

On investment, he noted, “We had more than $80 billion in investment, and this year…we are hoping to achieve a target of more than $90 billion in investment, new investment with more than 90,000 job opportunities.”

He dismissed the motion of no confidence as “craziness” and said the IFP ensures “all departments are working and for each and every challenge that we are faced with, we are able to provide solutions.”

The ANC Youth League KwaZulu-Natal suggested the party should exit the provincial unity government, claiming the IFP was “betraying” them.

Regarding the ANC Youth League, Ntuli acknowledged their comments, saying they “bring issues that require attention of the parties in the GPU.”

ANC KZN’s Michael Mabuyakhulu responded that the Youth League’s views are important, and the ANC leadership must take them into consideration.

He said the IFP’s actions in Umkhanyabuhle have “become a defining moment in our relations,” and the ANC intends to meet the IFP to “iron out some of the latest developments.”

In early October 2025, the ANC KwaZulu-Natal branch publicly condemned the IFP for what it described as a “power grab” in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality.

The ANC accused the IFP of undermining the GPU by unilaterally appointing officials and making decisions without proper consultation.

He emphasised the ANC remains in the GPU, noting there are ongoing concerns, including with MEC Buthelezi, which will first be raised privately with the IFP before being made public.