'MK Party is a scam, led by thugs and thieves', says IFP’s Buthelezi ahead of Ntuli no-confidence vote
IFP’s Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), launched a scathing attack on the MK Party on Monday, calling it a scam
Image: Supplied by KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
IFP’s Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), launched a scathing attack on the MK Party, calling it a “scam,” and accused its leaders of being “thugs and thieves” seeking to undermine the province.
Buthelezi was speaking in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on Monday as the MK Party pushed a motion of no confidence aimed at IFP premier Thami Ntuli.
“It is not about the leadership of Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, but today is an opportunity for this house to expose the MK Party for the scam that it is,” he said.
He defended Ntuli’s 18-month record, saying the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) has restored law and order.
“Our people feel safer in their homes, in their communities and on the streets because our Premier has focused on leading the fight against crime, mobilising resources in partnership with SAPS and community safety structures,” he said.
Buthelezi claimed that the province’s economy is growing under Ntuli’s leadership.
He praised the premier for providing “stability, safety and predictability” across KwaZulu-Natal.
“The motion today is a choice - a choice between stability and anarchy, a choice between the rule of law and the rule of the jungle, a choice between putting the people first and placing them at the mercy of Duduzile Zuma (Sambudla - the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma) and her friends,” he said.
The motion comes as the 80-member legislature prepares to vote.
At least 41 votes are required for it to pass.
The MK Party holds 37 seats and has secured support from the Economic Freedom Fighters (two seats) and the National Freedom Party (one), giving it 40 votes - one short of the threshold.
The party aims to oust Ntuli in order to take over.
The GPU, comprising the IFP (15 seats), the ANC (14), the DA (11), and the NFP (one), holds a narrow majority of 41 votes.
The MK Party has argued that Ntuli presides over an underperforming administration marked by corruption and financial mismanagement, despite having won the largest share of the vote in last year’s provincial elections.
Earlier, MK Party member Sizwe Mbatha criticised Ntuli during the debate, saying the premier lacked the leadership capacity to tackle the province’s crises.
“Even when there’s a fire in a township house, we act to extinguish the flames. KwaZulu-Natal is burning, and the premier doesn’t have enough water to stop the fire. He is holding a teaspoon of water, trying to stop flames he cannot stop,” Mbatha said.
He added that Ntuli was “not governing the province but serving as an administrator babysat by a frightened coalition” and argued that the province was “collapsing because the premier is too small for the job.”
Meanwhile, the ANC in the province said it will vote against the motion of no confidence against Ntuli, arguing that the move undermines the will of the voters.
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