Mbali Shinga defies NFP directive to support motion against KZN Premier
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga, a sole member of NFP says she would not vote for the MKP motion next week
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Despite a stern warning to support the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)-sponsored motion against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, National Freedom Party (NFP) sole legislature member, Mbali Shinga says she would vote against the motion to save Ntuli.
On Wednesday, the NFP national executive committee wrote to Shinga instructing her to support a motion or face consequences, however, the defiant Shinga said she would not vote against the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) of which is a member. She is also Social Development MEC.
On Sunday, Shinga confirmed that she received a letter from her party’s national leadership. She refused to discuss its content, however, she was adamant that she would not follow the party’s instruction to oust Ntuli.
“The NFP in KwaZulu-Natal is a member of the GPU so I will not vote against the GPU of which I am a member. I will go there as a member of the cabinet (and) therefore I cannot vote against something that I am part of,” said Shinga.
The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)’s motion of no confidence against Ntuli has been finally approved and will be voted on in two weeks time.
MKP filed the motion early last month, however, it had to be resuscitated on Tuesday after the legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce had cited some unprocedural aspects of it.
In a sitting of the legislature on Thursday, Boyce finally approved the MKP’s long awaited motion and announced that it will be tabled on December 15. She also announced that it will be virtual.
With its sole seat, the GPU’s future is in Shinga hands. If she were to decide to toe the party line and EFF supports the motion, the GPU parties and the opposition will tie at 40-40. Although this will not remove Ntuli from power, it will create unwanted instability as GPU parties will be unable to pass budgets.
Ntuli’s premiership has also been guaranteed by the ANC. The party resolved in its provincial general council at the weekend that it will not support the motion. The ANC’s position was also influenced by its recent agreement with the IFP in Umkhanyakude District Municipality which saw the ANC returning to power.
The DA is expected to back Ntuli because of their cordial relationship. The party has in the past made it clear that under no circumstances will it work with the MKP and EFF.
With ANC, DA and Shinga's guarantees, Ntuli’s future as the political head of the provincial government looks certain.
In the 80-seat chamber, the GPU is made up of 41 seats from the IFP (15), ANC(14), DA (11), NFP (1) against the MKP (37) and EFF (2).