ANC shuns MKP's coalition talks to remove IFP-led GPU in KwaZulu-Natal
Image: Antoine de Ras
The ANC’s national leadership has rejected the Umkhonto weSizwe Party’s call (MKP) to topple the IFP-led Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal.
Last week, the MKP’s second deputy president Tony Yengeni wrote to the ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula requesting a meeting to discuss the formation of a new coalition government and a motion of no confidence against Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. Had the ANC agreed to the proposal, the meeting would have taken place on Saturday, however, the parties did not meet as the ANC never even responded or acknowledged receipt of the invitation.
Speaking on Saturday evening, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said there was no meeting, saying the party saw the invitation in the media and Mbalula was in Tanzania the whole week. She said Mbalula was busy in a meeting with the Gauteng provincial task team.
“To be honest, MKP is not our priority. We are busy with ANC work,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
The MKP had also invited the ANC to attend a multi-party talks which is scheduled to take place on Sunday (today) in Durban. The parties that confirmed their attendance are NFP and EFF, however, Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC would not be participating.
The proposed meeting is expected to develop a new strategy to topple the IFP-led GPU. The MKP is also expected to present the new motion to the meeting in which both NFP and EFF are expected to pledge their support to it.
Despite having met all the GPU partners which are ANC, DA and IFP, the NFP still supports the dismantling of the current provincial coalition it helped to constitute in 2024.
After meeting with IFP, the NFP announced that it would still support the MKP-sponsored motion of no confidence against Ntuli. The party also reiterated that it had not rejoined the GPU and would remain outside until its disciplinary hearing against Mbali Shinga has been finalised.
The outcome is expected to be announced this week.
Shinga who is also Social Development MEC was charged for misconduct after defying the party’s directive to support the MKP motion last year.