Willem Phungula | Published 1 hour ago
The National Freedom Party (NFP), whose support has made it a kingmaker in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, has accused a group of suspended and expelled leaders aligned to former party member Mbali Shinga of secretly registering a new political party while continuing to destabilise the organisation.
The allegations were made by NFP Secretary-General Sunset Xaba following the suspension of the party's KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, Zodwa Mtshali, and the dismissal of national chairperson Sibusiso Mkhabela.
Both leaders have publicly backed Shinga, who was expelled from the party and subsequently removed from her position as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and MEC for Social Development.
On Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli was expected to appoint an acting MEC while Shinga continues her legal battle challenging her expulsion from the NFP, but chose to leave the portfolio vacant.
Shinga was the party's sole representative in the provincial legislature and found herself at odds with the party leadership after defying the NFP's directive during a vote of no confidence in Ntuli in December last year. The incident triggered disciplinary proceedings against her, culminating in a failed appeal and her eventual expulsion from the party.
Defending the decision to suspend Mtshali, Xaba said the party had information suggesting that she, Mkhabela and other former members had already established an alternative political vehicle.
"We know they have a Plan B. I do not understand why they do not simply leave instead of creating instability in an organisation that we are working hard to rebuild," said Xaba.
He accused Mtshali of violating the party's constitution and code of conduct after issuing a statement in support of Shinga without the approval of the provincial executive committee (PEC).
"She acted without the knowledge of the PEC. For some time, she has been pushing an agenda for Mbali Shinga to become party president and, together with her faction, has been attempting to undermine and overthrow the National Executive Committee," Xaba alleged.
Mtshali, who also serves as deputy mayor of the Mhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, strongly denied the allegations.
She said she had no knowledge of any plans to establish a new political party and dismissed claims that she was involved in efforts to remove NFP president Ivan Barnes.
"How could I have formed a new party when I was only suspended on Sunday? Besides, once an election date has been announced, no new political parties can be registered to contest that election. These people clearly do not understand the electoral process," she said.
Mtshali maintained that the accusations were baseless and politically motivated.
Mkhabela, who serves as mayor of the eDumbe Local Municipality, has been one of Shinga's most vocal supporters. Earlier this year, he led a group of party members who stormed a Durban hotel where Shinga's disciplinary hearing was scheduled to take place, demanding that the proceedings be halted.
He later addressed a media briefing at which he criticised the party leadership for pursuing disciplinary action against Shinga.
The NFP is also expected to initiate steps to remove Mkhabela as mayor following his dismissal from party structures.
Attempts to obtain comment from Mkhabela were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Mkhabela and his bodyguards were involved in a motor vehicle accident on the R34 near the Gluckstad off-ramp on Tuesday. No injuries were reported and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.
Other NFP leaders reportedly expelled from the party include National Executive Committee member Thuba Thwala and national coordinator and NEC member Bawinile Mhlongo.
The latest developments highlight growing divisions within the NFP at a time when the party is seeking to rebuild and strengthen its structures. The internal turmoil comes after the party aligned itself with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, a move that reshaped the province's political landscape by creating a deadlocked 40-40 split in the 80-seat legislature. The Government of Provincial Unity, comprising the IFP, ANC and DA, now faces an opposition bloc of equal strength.
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