The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has undertaken to meet with the leadership of the National Freedom Party (NFP) to seek clarity on its decision to withdraw from the provincial unity government (GPU).
This comes after the NFP announced on Wednesday that it is pulling out of the GPU, which consists of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the ANC, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and the NFP. The NFP also instructed its sole MPL, Mbali Shinga, who is also the MEC for Social Development, to resign from her position.
Mike Mabuyakhulu, the coordinator of the ANC’s provincial task team, said the party will engage the NFP because the decision has wider implications beyond the GPU.
The withdrawal leaves the GPU with 40 of the 80 seats in the provincial legislature. The MK Party, EFF, and NFP bloc will also hold 40 seats, making it difficult to pass budgets and other resolutions.
“The ANC respects the fact that the NFP has a right to make decisions about its allegiances. However, the ANC will seek bilateral engagement with the NFP to discuss the party’s latest alleged stance. In these engagements with the NFP, the ANC would want to engage the NFP particularly on the wider implications of its alleged decision, beyond the GPU,” Mabuyakhulu said.
Mabuyakhulu further stated that the ANC holds the view that, since the NFP voluntarily joined the GPU following engagements with other GPU partners after the outcomes of the 2024 general elections, it should take the GPU partners into confidence regarding its latest decision.
“The ANC would, however, like to dispel the false notion that the NFP’s alleged departure automatically collapses the GPU,” he added.
Meanwhile, DA provincial leader Francois Rodgers said that while his party respects the NFP’s prerogative on the matter, it questions the motive behind the decision.
“We are aware that the NFP has its own internal leadership differences, but such should not lead to destabilizing the government of KZN. It is regrettable that the NFP has taken this decision and is forcing its representative, Mbali Shinga, be removed from the KZN Legislature and as the MEC for Social Development. The DA found MEC Shinga to be one of the best-performing members in the Provincial executive. The motive remains questionable as it is not about her service delivery failures,” Rodgers said.
