By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Freedom Party (NFP) has expelled its provincial chair and MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga after she was found guilty of defying an instruction of her party to vote for the removal of Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli in 2025.
Shinga was suspended after she failed to submit a report for her conduct during no-confidence debate in the KZN Legislature.
The NFP had publicly declared its support for the MK Party-sponsored motion to remove 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.
She was charged for violating party instructions amongst others. The disciplinary committee has found Shinga guilty on all charges brought against her.
In a statement party’s acting secretary general, Bheki Xaba said. “Ms Mbali Shinga is expelled from the National Freedom Party.”
“Having considered the gravity of the charges, the absence of the mitigation and the constitutional imperatives to safeguard the organisation’s integrity, Ms Shinga is expelled from the party with immediate effect,” read the statement.
“It affirms the non-negotiable nature of discipline within the NFP. It demonstrates that no member, regardless of position or office, is above accountability. It signals the NEC’s unwavering commitment to unity, renewal, and constitutional fidelity. It ensures that the Party remains safeguarded against defiance, factionalism, and conduct that undermines legitimacy,” Xaba asserted.
Xaba further told Fullview that the party is going to hold a media briefing to outline the way forward following the expulsion of Shinga.
The NFP is part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) which includes the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA) and African National Congress (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.
Although the NFP holds only a single seat in the legislature, it remains a crucial power broker in the government of provincial unity. If the party’s top leadership succeeds in removing Shinga, it could alter the balance of power in the provincial government.
The IFP, NFP, ANC and DA together hold 41 of the 80 seats in the legislature. By contrast, the MK Party — although the single biggest party, with 37 seats — remains on the opposition benches.
The defiant Shinga insists she will remain in her post, regardless of the outcome of the disciplinary committee.
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.