Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal have backed Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce’s decision to decline the National Freedom Party’s (NFP) request to remove Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga from the legislature due to internal party developments.

The ANC, IFP, and the DA expressed confidence in the Speaker for her impartiality when applying the rules.

The NFP’s action against Shinga followed after she defied the party by voting against the motion of no confidence brought by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) against Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. 

Following the re-election of Ntuli during the motion of no confidence, the House descended into chaos, with what appeared to be a water bottle being thrown in the direction of the Speaker. MKP members have since been suspended.

The NFP resolved to temporarily terminate Shinga’s membership two weeks ago, and the suspension prohibits her from participating in all party activities, including representing it in government.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal commended Boyce for her ‘unwavering stance in defending the integrity of the Legislature.’

“The ANC welcomes and fully supports the Speaker’s response, delivered on 23 December 2025, in which she reaffirmed that the Legislature cannot act solely on the basis of internal party decisions.

“The Speaker emphasised that constitutional and legislative provisions must guide the removal of any elected representative, and that Honourable Shinga has not violated any rules of the Legislature,” the ANC KZN said.

The party further stated that the Speaker rightly emphasised that any actions concerning the removal of elected representatives must be guided by constitutional and legislative provisions, rather than internal party decisions.

“The ANC applauds the Speaker’s commitment to uphold the doctrine of separation of powers, demonstrating that she values the Legislature as an institution above party political interests. This approach not only strengthens the rule of law but also protects the integrity of our democratic processes,” the ANC KZN said.

The ANC also cautioned all political parties to resolve their internal matters independently and without involving the Legislature, highlighting that issues within a party must not disrupt the functioning and integrity of our democratic institutions.

Francois Rodgers, DA KZN provincial leader, said the DA caucus has full confidence in Boyce and the legislature’s legal team.

“The Speaker has consistently shown her impartiality when applying the rules. Obviously, any aggrieved party always has the right to challenge any decisions through available legal mechanisms,” Rodgers said.

He added that the sad reality is that Shinga is one of the best performing members of the provincial executive, and this is evident in the positive findings by the Auditor General. 

It appears internal party politics in the NFP trump effective service delivery, he said.

“The DA remains committed to the GPU, even more so after the shambolic and illegal behaviour displayed by the MKP members of the KZN Legislature,” he stated.

Dr Andile Biyela, an IFP KZN Member of the Legislature, said the party respects the constitutional framework governing the Legislature and notes the Speaker’s position. 

“The IFP further holds the view that the National Freedom Party, as an independent political organisation, has the full capacity to manage its own internal affairs without external interference,” Biyela said.

He stated that the IFP remains firmly committed to cooperative governance and to ensuring that the work of the Legislature remains focused on service delivery and the interests of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

Biyela also urged all political organisations represented in the House to prioritise stability, institutional integrity, and the collective responsibility to the citizens of KZN.

Boyce’s spokesperson, Aphelele Ntumbu, stated that the office of the speaker received the NFP’s letter and has responded to it, but cannot share the contents of the letter due to confidentiality and legal implications.

A request for comment was sent to NFP President Ivan Barnes, but he had not yet responded. 

gcwalisile.khanyile@inl.co.za 

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