By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Freedom Party (NFP) has suspended Mbali Shinga, who is the party’s provincial chairperson and the sole member in the KZN legislature with immediate effect.
Shinga’s suspension comes after she failed to submit a report for her conduct during no-confidence debate in the KZN Legislature. She was given until Thursday.
Before sitting on Monday, 15 December 2025, the NFP had publicly declared its support for the MK Party-sponsored motion to remove the premier Thami Ntuli.
However, during the special sitting Shinga defied the party position when she rejected the motion when it was her turn on the podium, arguing it failed to meet governance and constitutional thresholds.
Shinga told the House the debate had been driven by political excitement rather than evidence of poor performance by the executive.
The NFP is part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) which includes the IFP, DA and ANC however the party had expressed its dissatisfaction with the leadership of the coalition government.
In the coalition, the NFP was given the provincial Department of Social Development.
In its statement released on Sunday, the NFP national executive committee (NEC) said Shinga has been suspended for defying the party’s NEC resolution.
The suspension takes immediate effect and will run for a period of three months.
The party said the decision was taken in line with its constitutional obligations and internal processes.
Shinga confirmed receiving letter of her suspension but she has indicated that she will challenge it in court.
Shinga has been at loggerheads with other party leaders over attempts to remove her from her position to create space for party’s president Ivan Barnes to take over as the NFP Member of the Provincial Legislature.