Political tensions rise as IFP and NFP prepare for crucial GPU meeting in Durban

Issues of the Government of Local Unity in 12 KwaZulu-Natal municipalities and the removal of two MECs could be central to discussions when the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the National Freedom Party (NFP) meet in Durban on Sunday.

With just one seat in the 80-member KwaZulu-Natal legislature, the NFP nevertheless held the balance of power needed to sustain the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). The NFP withdrew from the GPU on January 5, 2026.

In an effort to save the GPU, the Democratic Alliance (DA), IFP and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) decided to hold talks with the NFP leadership. The NFP has already held separate discussions with the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA.

Bheki Xaba, Secretary-General of the NFP in KZN, regarded the meeting between the NFP and IFP as significant in the current political climate and within the KZN GPU. 

During this meeting, he said that the NFP also wanted to share their frustration, which has been caused by the IFP when it comes to NFP deployees, including the current MEC Mbali Shinga, because “we have said in the past that the IFP must not be involved in the affairs of the NFP,” he explained. 

Shinga is the MEC for Social Development in KZN. 

Xaba said the NFP also wanted the IFP to answer “why they ran away after formation of the GPU, when we were supposed to engage in Government of Local Unity(GLU) matters, which included 12 municipalities in KZN.”

Xaba said they met with ANC before and that the NFP was still looking forward to meeting with them again.

“Only if they will come with tangible solutions to the issues we raised,” he said. 

The issue raised with the ANC was the removal of two KZN MECs, Sipho Hlomuka and Nomagugu Simelane. Hlomuka serves as the MEC for Education, whereas Simelane holds the position of MEC for Health.

“They are alleged to have been involved in corruption scandals,” Xaba said. 

He added that they are scheduled to meet with MKP this coming Sunday evening.

It is alleged that Hlomuka interfered in the awarding of contracts for the school nutrition programme. Simelane has been accused of getting a radio DJ fired. Both allegations are under investigation. 

Blessed Gwala, IFP national chairperson and chief whip in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, confirmed that the meeting was scheduled at Durban Manor as per the request by the NFP. 

Concerning what the IFPs' aims and objectives going into the meeting with the NFP, Gwala said the details and agenda of the meeting with the NFP would not be discussed publicly at this stage. 

“We will attend to media enquiries on this issue once the meeting has concluded,” he said.

Background history

• Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi and a group of former IFP members founded the NFP on January 25,2011. 

• KaMagwaza-Msibi had joined the IFP in 1975 and became the national chairperson. 
• After the 2009 general elections, relations between her faction and the party’s top leadership had soured.

• Despite being barely three months old, the NFP secured 2.4% of the national vote and a formidable 11.1% in KwaZulu-Natal in the 2011 local government elections, 

• In the 2014 general election, the NFP won seats in both the National Assembly and the KZN Legislature. 

• kaMagwaza-Msibi died in 2021.

• In December 2023, Ivan Barnes was elected NFP president

• In May 2024, the MKP emerged as the largest party in the KZN Legislature after the elections. This prompted intense coalition negotiations. The MK Party held 37 seats, compared to the IFP’s 15 and the ANC’s 14. 

• The NFP opted to support an IFP-ANC-DA Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in 2024 

• The NFP withdrew from the GPU on January 5, 2026.

• The withdrawal follows growing tensions between  NFP provincial chairperson Mbali Shinga and the NFP leadership.

• In December, the NFP supported a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli, tabled by the MK Party. However, the vote could not proceed after chaotic scenes disrupted the sitting.

• Mbali Shinga was told to resign from her position as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Social Development in KZN. She declined. 

• Shinga is the NFP’s only MPL and its sole representative in the GPU. Shinga is facing internal disciplinary charges, including gross misconduct, insubordination and defiance of party directives.

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