By Sihle Mavuso
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) says it is still waiting for a directive from Luthuli House on whether it should meet the MK Party to begin formal talks on a possible coalition that could dislodge the DA and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) from power in the province.
The party’s provincial structure said it remains in the dark and has not yet received instructions from the ANC’s national leadership.
Spokesperson for the ANC’s provincial task team (PTT), Fanle Sibisi, said the invitation to coalition talks had been directed to the national executive committee (NEC), which must decide on the party’s position.
“As things stand, the letter inviting us to the talks was directed to the NEC. There is currently no directive from the Secretary-General [Fikile Mbalula] allowing us to join the coalition discussions. We are still waiting for guidance on the matter,” Sibisi said.
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela declined to comment on reports circulating on social media that the ANC had already turned down the invitation.
“Unfortunately, I can’t respond to questions based on matters discussed on social media,” Ndhlela said.
While the ANC has not yet been authorised to meet with the MK Party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) confirmed that it held a meeting with the party over the weekend to discuss the possibility of forming a coalition.
EFF provincial spokesperson Chris Msibi confirmed the meeting but said no agreement had been reached.
“It is still work in progress,” Msibi said.
The talks come after both the EFF, which holds two seats in the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg, and the National Freedom Party (NFP), the kingmaker party with a single seat that is helping keep the current Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) intact, accepted invitations from the MK Party.
The MK Party is preparing to table another motion of no confidence against Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli of the IFP after its previous attempt on 15 December last year descended into chaos.
During that sitting, Speaker Nontembeko Boyce refused demands for a secret ballot, triggering disorder in the chamber.
Some MK Party members were seen manhandling and verbally abusing her and were later suspended without pay in January.
The Jacob Zuma-led party plans to lodge a fresh motion in June when the six-month period required before tabling another motion expires.
This time, the party is banking on support from what it calls “progressive black parties”, which together hold 57 of the 80 seats in the legislature.
The MK Party has 37 seats, the ANC 17, the EFF two, and the NFP one.
Previously, when the MK Party courted the ANC, it reportedly offered four executive council positions and the Speaker’s post. The Deputy Speaker position, currently held by the DA, was said to have been offered to the EFF along with a cabinet seat.
However, the EFF previously stated on record that it had not been formally approached with such an offer.
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