By Johnathan Paoli
The National Freedom Party (NFP) has formally resolved to withdraw from the KwaZulu-Natal government of provincial unity (GPU) and has instructed its sole representative in the provincial legislature and MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, to resign from her positions by Thursday morning.
In a letter to Shinga, Acting Secretary-General Sunset Bheki Xaba confirmed that the decision was taken at a special meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Monday, where leaders agreed to exit the multi-party coalition governing the province.
“The instruction is issued not in disregard of your service, but in recognition of the higher duty we all share to uphold the collective discipline, constitutional obligations, and strategic direction of the National Freedom Party. It is a call to consistency, unity and fidelity to the decisions of the NEC,” Xaba said.
The GPU currently comprises the IFP, ANC, DA and the NFP, and has governed KwaZulu-Natal on the basis of a slim majority in the 80-seat legislature.
Although the NFP holds only one seat, it has played a decisive role in sustaining the coalition, making its withdrawal a potentially destabilising development for the provincial administration.
According to the letter dated 6 January 2026, Shinga has been instructed to resign from both her position as MEC and MPL by 09:00 on Thursday.
Xaba wrote that the NEC had taken the decision in full exercise of the powers vested in it by the party’s constitution, stressing that it was binding on all party structures, office bearers and deployees.
The NEC further underlined the importance of unity and discipline within the organisation, saying the directive reflected the party’s collective mandate and strategic direction.
“The NEC places its trust in your sense of duty and respect for the organisation, confident that you will treat this matter with the seriousness and urgency it demands,” Xaba said.
The acting SG added that the leadership was assured she would act in a manner that reflected the discipline, principles, unity and integrity of the party.
Shinga’s position has been at the centre of internal conflict within the NFP for several months, culminating in her suspension pending a disciplinary process.
The tensions came to a head in December when she defied a party directive to support a motion of no confidence in Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, which had been tabled by the MKP.
Instead, she supported the existing GPU administration, a move that proved decisive in the motion’s failure.
The NFP had previously announced in October last year that it was withdrawing support for Ntuli as it explored closer cooperation with the MKP.
The failed December motion, which was marked by chaotic scenes in the legislature, exposed deep divisions within the party over its role in the provincial government and Shinga’s dual position as a senior party official and a member of the executive.
With the NFP now formally exiting the GPU, the coalition loses a key vote that has underpinned its narrow majority.
The development could accelerate political realignments in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly as the MKP, backed by the EFF, has already signalled its intention to bring another motion of no confidence against Ntuli.
The NFP has indicated that it will outline the reasons for its withdrawal from the GPU in a media briefing on Friday.
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