Zuma’s MK Party wants to topple KZN government

The National Freedom Party (NFP), a party with one seat in the 41-seat coalition bloc, has demanded major changes to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Executive Council as a condition for its continued participation in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

NFP President Ivan Barnes told a media briefing over the weekend that while the party is unhappy with the current arrangement, it would remain in the GPU.

However, this is only on the condition that its partners immediately dismiss all Members of the Executive Council (MECs) belonging to the African National Congress (IFP), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) recall Thamsanqa Ntuli as Premier.

This comes shortly after a uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)-led motion of no confidence against the Premier, tabled a couple of weeks ago and supported by the NFP President.

KZN is currently governed by a razor-thin majority coalition comprising the IFP, ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), and the NFP.

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.

In a statement released on October 25, Barnes said under the GPU, there was a lack of service delivery, and indicated his support for an MKP-led government.

“The recent election results clearly show that the electorate expressed overwhelming support for the MKP. 

“Perhaps it would be wise to allow the MKP to take a leading role in any future provincial governance formation,” read the statement.

Barnes said that the “IFP must withdraw Thami Ntuli, ANC must withdraw [Bongi] Hlomuka as MEC, it must withdraw [Nomagugu] Simelane as MEC.”

Barnes confirmed he will be meeting with MKP leaders. “We are meeting the MKP on a common denominator that Thami Ntuli is failing to lead.”

“Why do you panic when you hear about uMkhonto weSizwe as if KZN will perish if the MK Party is in power, no, nothing will happen,” said Barnes.

The bigger picture

Newsday recently reported on the divides in the NFP on the motion, with national leadership clashing with that of KZN and Youth League leadership.

The KZN NFP caucus affirmed that its MPL, Cynthia Mbali Shinga, MEC for Social Development, remains a full and active member of the NFP in the legislature.

It praised her performance in GPU, saying that she has been advancing social justice, supporting vulnerable communities, and strengthening intergovernmental collaboration.

The NFP Youth League issued issued a statement on 27 October, calling its president’s remarks “unconstitutional, undemocrtatic and politically reckless.”

They said that such statements from the leader did not follow any structures, nor did he consult with the KZN caucus.

“The attempt to speak on behalf of KZN without engaging its legitimate provincial leadership is an act of political opportunism that seeks to sow instability in the province,” added the NFPYL.

It has been reported that Barnes made the call out of bitterness against the IFP, because IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa did not offer him the position of mayor of Zululand District Municipality. 

The NFP is a split from the IFP. It was formed in 2011 by the late Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, former chairperson of the IFP, along with other former IFP members.

Could the motion pass?

The conflicting messages expose the fragility of KwaZulu-Natal’s coalition politics.

The GPU, a multiparty alliance comprising the IFP, ANC, DA, and NFP, holds a razor-thin majority, where even a single defection could dramatically shift the provincial political balance.

The tension is compounded by the MKP’s recent tabling of a motion of no confidence against Premier Ntuli.

MKP leader in the legislature, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, argued that the Premier’s office suffers from “disarray and absence of decisive leadership,” pointing to weak administrative control over provincial departments.

If the NFP were to side with the MKP, a tied vote at 40-40 could occur, technically insufficient to remove the Premier, leaving the GPU in place but politically weakened.

Meanwhile, Ntuli has dismissed criticism of his leadership as unfounded. Speaking as IFP chair, he described the provincial government as “stable” and “aggressive in fighting corruption and crime.”

He highlighted infrastructure investment and job creation, noting that the province expects more than $90 billion in new investment and 90,000 new job opportunities this year.

The fractious relations within the GPU extend beyond the NFP.

The ANC Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal has suggested that the party exit the coalition, accusing the IFP of “betraying” the alliance.

ANC KZN leaders have also expressed concerns about unilateral decisions by the IFP in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality, which they described as a “power grab” undermining the GPU.