By Sihle Mavuso
The National Freedom Party’s (NFP) internal finding that KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga is guilty of defying a party instruction has exposed additional divisions in the party and added to political uncertainty in the government of provincial unity.
This comes after a group calling itself Members and Youth Formations wrote a letter to complain that the process was flawed.
The letter, dated 13 April, was written to the party’s leadership after a note by the Acting Secretary-General, Bheki Xaba, sent to the national executive committee (NEC) showed that Shinga has been found guilty by the disciplinary committee that was hearing her case.
Shinga was accused of defying the party’s directive last year to vote for the removal of the IFP’s Thamsanqa Ntuli as the premier of the province.
In the note to the NEC, Xaba said they would not compromise on discipline within the party and would always act against members when necessary, regardless of their position.
“The committee has found the member guilty on all charges brought against her. The ruling affirms the seriousness of her defiance and validates the continuation of proceedings into Part B (sanction), where substantive sanctions will be determined. The judgment underscores that discipline is non-negotiable, and accountability applies equally to all members, regardless of position or office,” Xaba wrote.
But the Members and Youth Formations group argued that Xaba’s letter created unnecessary confusion and premature conclusions.
It added that such conduct does not build the party, but weakens it.
“A preliminary ruling, in law and in organisational disciplinary frameworks, is not a final determination. It is an intermediate step in proceedings, often dealing with aspects such as procedural findings, admissibility of evidence, or initial conclusions subject to further consideration.
“It does not conclude the matter. It does not impose final sanctions. It does not exhaust internal remedies.”
They further warned that even after the final ruling on Wednesday this week, the matter will not be final, and that the decision to release the letter fuelled suspicions of factionalism.
“This letter should not have been released in the manner it was. Releasing a communication of this nature at a preliminary stage fuels factional narratives, misleads members and the public, and creates instability within the organisation.
“At a time when the organisation should be focusing on rebuilding, strengthening structures, and preparing for the upcoming Local Government Elections, we instead find ourselves consumed by premature internal pronouncements.”
The sanction against Shinga will be delivered on Wednesday. Insiders said the NEC asked the disciplinary committee to expel her from the party.
Xaba said they would not comment about their submission until the matter has been concluded.
“No comment on this matter until all processes are concluded, with respect,” he said when approached by Inside Politics.
Shinga did not comment when she was asked about her submissions to the disciplinary committee.
The case comes at a politically sensitive time for the NFP, whose alignment with the MK Party and the EFF has already complicated provincial politics. Shinga’s defiance has further strained those dynamics and raised the stakes for the party’s next move.
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