By Celani Sikhakhane
- NFP president Irvin Barnes supports MK Party’s bid to remove KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, but provincial leader Mbali Shinga says she still backs him.
- Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza wants the KZN Speaker to call a special sitting within two weeks to vote on removing Premier Ntuli.
The National Freedom Party is split over the motion of no confidence in KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.
The motion was filed by MK Party leader in the KZN legislature, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, who says the premier has failed to lead the province effectively.
Divisions have emerged between Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga and NFP president Irvin Rowan Barnes. Barnes has sided with the MK Party in support of removing Ntuli, while Shinga, who leads the NFP in KZN, stands firmly behind him.
Chiliza said the provincial government under Ntuli’s leadership has “lost direction” and urged the KZN Speaker to call a special sitting within two weeks to vote on the motion.
The move comes weeks after King Misuzulu kaZwelithini publicly praised Ntuli during the King Shaka Day commemoration in KwaDukuza, saying the Zulu Kingdom was working well with him.
Chiliza’s motion has increased political tension in the Government of Provincial Unity. The ANC in KZN has called for an urgent meeting with the IFP to address growing friction between coalition partners.
The fallout also follows complaints from the ANC Youth League, accusing IFP Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi of “bullying” ANC-led municipalities.
The MK Party holds 37 seats in the KZN legislature. With the EFF’s two seats, they have 39 votes – still short of the 41 needed to unseat Ntuli.
Pictured above: KZN MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga, who opposes the motion against Premier Thami Ntuli.
Image source: KZN government
