NFP threatens to quit KZN coalition by January
“Replace IFP premier, ANC Education and Health MECs by end of January 2026 or else we quit the Government of Provincial Unity!”
That’s the bold threat from the National Freedom Party (NFP) which is part of the coalition government in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The premier has not performed and has not acted on maladministration within these departments which have been flagged by the Auditor General. It is for this reason we are saying we will be prepared to quit our place in the GPU if our demands are not met,” NFP President, Ivan Barnes told IOL.
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He also confirmed his party will support a vote of no confidence against the premier, Thami Ntuli, in KZN. The vote is being mooted by the UMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party and is scheduled to take place later this month. “Our deployee in the KZN legislature, Mbali Shinga, has confirmed she will comply with our directive to support this vote,” added Barnes.
However, both premier Thami Ntuli – who is also IFP provincial leader – and ANC provincial spokesperson Fanle Sibisi, have dismissed the NFP threats of withdrawal from the coalition and its support of the vote of no confidence.
“We are not going to play these games and respond to threats. As the ANC, we are open to speaking to any party, in or out of the coalition. But they must approach us and tell us what their concerns are and we meet each other to discuss. But threatening us to quit if we don’t give in to their demands is not how it works,” Sibisi told IOL, laughing off the threat from Barnes.
In his response, Ntuli said he was not losing any sleep over the matter.
“We have a stable GPU in KZN while the MK is fighting to distance itself from one of their leaders involved in recruiting for Russia and facing charges for involvement in looting and rioting in the country. Investors need stability and thats what we are delivering. KZN is working well under the GPU, investors are returning and the province is a construction site with new projects and jobs being created. As far as the NFP supporting this vote, they are just trying to stay relevant in the news,” Ntuli quipped in response.
The NFP holds a single seat in the KZN legislature with one MEC in the provincial government – Mbali Shinga, as MEC of Social Development. However, despite its single number, it plays a strategic kingpin role as its vote sways the balance of power in the legislature. Barnes also confirmed his party was in talks with the MK party to ensure the vote is supported and goes ahead. If successful, it will lead to a collapse in the GPU as budgets will not be able to pass due to numbers not being met.
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The party’s demand for replacements in the Education and Health portfolios in KZN comes amid damning reports from both the Auditor-General and KZN’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).
Both have flagged the two departments over compliance and financial irregularities. The Department of Health is facing a hearing over its 2025 audit outcomes, with the Auditor-General highlighting concerns about compliance and a regression in audit results.
The Department of Education received a qualified opinion in its 2025 audit due to issues with irregular expenditure, supply chain management, and non-compliance, with a specific focus on its resistance to addressing the Auditor General’s recommendations.
Both departments are among those that have been summoned by SCOPA due to findings of mismanagement, poor financial controls, and other issues.
IOL