The disciplinary hearing of National Freedom Party (NFP) member and KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga is continuing under heavy security on Thursday after it descended into violent clashes between Shinga’s supporters and the party’s senior leadership on Wednesday.

Shinga, who is also the party’s provincial chairperson, was hauled before a disciplinary hearing over claims that she had violated the party’s instruction to vote for a motion of no confidence in KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.

On December 15, Shinga openly defied the party’s instruction and voted with the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) parties to save Ntuli.

While the hearing was in progress on Wednesday, Shinga’s supporters stormed the venue and disrupted the meeting, demanding that it be halted.

This resulted in a brawl, and angry party leader Ivan Barnes exchanged blows in a fistfight with the party’s Uthukela District chairperson Manqoba Dlamini. The two were separated by police, who were called to the venue

On Thursday, there was heavy security inside and outside the Garden Court hotel, with police nyala and other SAPS vehicles stationed at both entrances of the hotel. The meeting was delayed more than the scheduled time as there were fears that Shinga’s supporters would come again and disrupt it.

According to insiders, the party had planned to move the hearing to a secret venue to avoid further disruptions.

The source said even Shinga was only informed at the last minute that the hearing would continue at the same venue because of fear that she would inform her supporters.

Meanwhile, the NFP and ANC leadership are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on Saturday to discuss the NFP’s withdrawal from the GPU.

The meeting was requested by the ANC after the NFP’s national executive committee (NEC) announced its formal withdrawal from the arrangement.

The NFP’s NEC had said it will only reconsider rejoining the government under its current form if Shinga is not removed both as an MEC and a member of the legislature.

In a media briefing on Thursday, ANC spokesperson Fanle Sibisi confirmed that the meeting will take place as scheduled on Saturday, despite the latest development in the NFP. 

However, the party leadership was locked up in the hearing, and attempts to get confirmation from them were unsuccessful.

“The meeting would continue as planned. The NFP has written back to us agreeing to meet with us on Saturday,” said Sibisi

On Wednesday, the party’s provincial executive committee, alongside the party’s national chairperson, Shevu Mkhabela, said the ANC and other GPU partners are supposed to be talking to the provincial executive committee, not the NEC, since the seat and position held by Shinga belong to the province.

After meeting with the ANC, the NFP is also expected to meet with the DA and IFP.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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