ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula is processing the MKP's request for a meeting to discuss the removal of the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal.
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The ANC says it is processing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)’s request to dismantle the current coalition government in KwaZulu-Natal and form a new one.
In a fresh effort to unseat the IFP-led Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the MKP has written to the ANC’s national leadership requesting a meeting this week to discuss a motion of no confidence against Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and the formation of a new coalition.
Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling of statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in Durban on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu confirmed that the MKP had written to the party requesting a meeting. He added that the request was being processed by the ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula.
“We can confirm receipt of the letter. Although it was directed to the office of Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, we were copied as the province,” said Mabuyakhulu.
Mabuyakhulu said the provincial leadership would await further communication and direction from the ANC’s national office.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, declined to allow questions to the president on the matter, stating that Ramaphosa was attending the event in his capacity as head of state and referred all political questions to Mbalula.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri and Mbalula did not respond to questions from the Daily News.
An extract from a letter penned by the MKP’s deputy president, Tony Yengeni, reads:
“The MKP has been engaged in meetings with the NFP and EFF to discuss the constitution of a new coalition government in KwaZulu-Natal; therefore, in the spirit of cooperation and inclusive political engagement, we hereby formally invite the ANC to participate in the discussions.”
The letter proposes Saturday as the meeting date at a venue yet to be decided.
The MKP’s spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, had not responded to questions at the time of publication.
The MKP’s approach to the ANC comes as disciplinary proceedings against Mbali Shinga have been finalised, with the outcome expected later this week.
Shinga, who is also the Social Development MEC in the IFP-led GPU, was charged by her party after she defied its instruction during a motion of no confidence vote against Ntuli last year.
On December 15, Shinga ignored the party’s directive to vote for Ntuli’s removal. This angered party leadership, including NFP president Ivan Barnes, who observed the proceedings from the chamber gallery.
The NFP’s national executive committee (NEC) subsequently convened a special meeting and resolved to suspend Shinga and institute disciplinary proceedings, which began in early January.
On Friday, the hearing continued in Shinga’s absence as she attended the State of the Province Address. She was represented by her legal team, and both sides presented closing arguments.