KZN government on shaky ground after National Freedom Party threatens to quit coalition

KwaZulu-Natal’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) is showing fresh cracks after the National Freedom Party (NFP), the smallest but most crucial coalition partner, threatened on Sunday to withdraw from the arrangement.

On Tuesday, two days after the threat, Premier Thami Ntuli and his administration continued with their work as usual.

The DA’s provincial leader, Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, has called on Ntuli to convene a bilateral meeting with all four GPU partners to iron out differences.

“Any instability is a concern, particularly when you have a multiparty government of provincial unity, but what it needs is just calm, levelheadedness and a conversation to find out where the disagreement is originating from.

“Find the solutions and implement them because, at the end of the day, the GPU has proved that it is capable of governing, and if there are disagreements, that’s part of life,” said Rodgers.

Informal talks between the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) were reportedly under way, preparing for a possible collapse of the GPU.

NFP gripes

The NFP, which holds a single seat in the 80-member provincial legislature, is the kingmaker in the coalition, which is led by the IFP alongside the ANC and the DA.

In a statement that caught coalition partners off guard, the NFP president, Irvin Barnes, announced that his party had “lost confidence” in Ntuli, citing allegations of mismanagement and misuse of public funds.

“At both political and governance levels, there have been no meaningful reviews of the performance of our deployees from all political parties,” said Barnes on Sunday.

“Instead, we have witnessed a steady erosion of public trust, the trust that the people of KwaZulu-Natal placed in all GPU partners. Furthermore, instances of financial mismanagement and wasteful expenditure, including unnecessary international trips by the premier, have deeply undermined confidence in the GPU.”

Daily Maverick has learnt from multiple party insiders that Barnes’ statement was not endorsed by the NFP’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Senior members alleged that Barnes acted unilaterally and may have been influenced by the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, which has been attempting to destabilise the coalition.

“We have had the discussion before, but that was months ago. There has been no recent discussion lately,” said a source.

For any decision of this nature to stand, it would have to be formally approved by the NEC, which, according to insiders, has not taken place.

When approached for comment, Barnes agreed to an interview but later ignored calls and messages.

‘Work continues’

Ntuli’s spokesperson, Bongani Gina, dismissed the NFP leader’s claims, saying, “The premier is working tirelessly to bring service delivery to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, and that is where his focus is at the moment.”

The GPU was formed after the 29 May elections by the IFP, ANC, DA and NFP, excluding the MK party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The MK party won 37 seats in the provincial legislature. It is followed by the IFP (15), ANC (14), DA (11), EFF (2) and NFP (1). Although MK emerged as the largest party, its rejection of the election results and refusal to enter coalition talks opened the way for the four parties to form a government with a majority of one.

To collapse the GPU, MK would need just three seats, which it could get: one from the NFP and two from the EFF, making both key players. MK could also capitalise on divisions by aligning with disgruntled ANC members to garner the extra vote needed to form a majority.

The DA and IFP have made it clear they would never work with MK, while the ANC has raised concerns about the party’s lack of governance experience.

However, tensions between the IFP and NFP have simmered for months.

In June 2024, Barnes accused his coalition partners of betraying an agreement that would have seen him or a member of his party become mayor of the Zululand District Municipality.

The IFP later denied ever making such a promise, and while the NFP was allocated a Cabinet position, with Cynthia Mbali Shinga appointed MEC for Social Development, the IFP voted in its own candidate, Michael Khumalo, as Zululand mayor.

Earlier this month, the MK party’s Visvin Reddy tabled a motion of no confidence against Ntuli but did not proceed because of administrative and procedural issues.

Following the release of the NFP’s statement on Sunday, it was business as usual for Shinga, who continued with her MEC duties.

Shinga, who holds the NFP’s single seat, said there was no “crisis” in the GPU and that it was “intact”.

On Monday, she released a statement saying her immediate focus remained on delivering services.

On Wednesday, she is expected to join fellow members of the executive council, led by Ntuli, for the Operation Sukuma Sakhe and District Development Model Programme in the uThukela district.

MK eyes the prize

The latest developments do not come as a surprise, particularly as MK has spent months trying to take control of the province’s governance.

MK leaders have repeatedly claimed they were robbed of the right to lead the province, insisting that the current governing arrangement does not reflect the will of the people of KZN.

MK’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said the developments vindicated their claim to govern. “The people spoke. MK won 45% of the vote. It’s time for real change,” he told reporters.

MK didn’t respond to Daily Maverick’s request for comment.

Read more: First birthday present? MK party aims its sights at KwaZulu-Natal takeover

Beyond issues with NFP, the ANC has accused the IFP of targeting ANC deployees in the government.

It accused the IFP’s MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, of  “weaponising” the portfolio against the ANC and using his position as the prime minister of the Zulu nation to further benefit his party while in government.

It also accused the DA’s Rodgers of abusing the legal powers vested in his office to frustrate service delivery. This followed his threats to place departments under administration, as reported here.

Rodgers said a possible MK party takeover was a “grave” concern, as it was a new party, which lacked governing experience, and in the light of its stance on the Constitution and the judiciary. DM