IFP rejects KZN cabinet reshuffle rumours as tensions rise in the GPU
KWAZULU-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, is facing a serious challenge as the NFP has threatened to withdraw from the coalition government and the ANC is rumoured to have asked him to move around the MECs of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Sports, Arts and Culture, a claim that has been denied by the IFP and the provincial government.
Image: LEON LESTRADE Independent Newspapers
SPORTS, Arts and Culture MEC Mntomuhle Khawula who is rumoured to be headed to the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs portfolio. His party, the IFP, has rejected any cabinet reshuffle.
Image: TUMI PAKKIES Independent Newspapers
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has dismissed speculation about tensions within the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) amid reshuffling rumours, yet calls persist for other GPU partners to leave the provincial government, a move that might collapse the coalition.
The IFP insists the administration led by Premier Thami Ntuli remains stable and united.
The GPU was formed after the 2024 general elections when no single party won an outright majority in the province.The coalition brought together the IFP, African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and National Freedom Party (NFP) in a power-sharing arrangement aimed at ensuring political stability and continuity in KwaZulu-Natal.
Following a meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) yesterday, the IFP said it “reaffirms its full and unwavering support and confidence” in the IFP-led GPU.
“The province of KwaZulu-Natal remains stable, and the GPU continues to govern effectively in the collective interest of all the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” the statement read.“The provincial government is delivering on its mandate of ensuring service delivery, good governance, and social cohesion.”
THULASIZWE Buthelezi, the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which the IFP denies there are moves to reshuffle him to a Sports, Arts and Culture portfolio headed by MEC Mntomuhle Khawula.
Image: KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
The IFP also rejected a media report alleging that an agreement had been reached to reshuffle Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to the Sports, Arts and Culture portfolio that is currently headed by MEC Mntomuhle Khawula, an NEC member in the IFP.
“The IFP wishes to make it absolutely clear that no such reshuffle agreement was made,” it said.
“We caution against the spread of misinformation and fake news.”
The party said it would continue to work with its GPU partners to strengthen the coalition and ensure its long-term viability.
“The IFP assures the people of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large that there is no crisis within the GPU,” the statement said.
“The government remains focused, united, and committed to improving the lives of our people, growing the provincial economy, and strengthening service delivery.”
The IFP urged all political parties to act responsibly.
NFP president Ivan Barnes who has made a lone call for his party to leave the GNU and join a coalition of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and the EFF. Barnes also supports the motion of no-confidence on Premier Thami Ntuli.
Image: Independent Media Archives
The IFP statement follows murmurs within the GPU brought forth by the president of the NFP, Ivan Barnes, who wants the party to quit the GPU.
Barnes, however, does not have the support of his party as the party's GPU deployee, Mbali Shinga, the MEC of Social Development distanced herself from the withdrawal from the GNU.
Barnes had also indicated the party's support for a motion of no-confidence on the KZN premier. The one seat party president also wants the ANC to remove Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka. Simelane and Hlomuka were both linked to corruption allegations but an investigation by the provincial government initiated at the behest of the premier cleared them of any wrongdoing.
Ntuli's motion of no-confidence was raised by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). The NFP president said that they'd prefer the MKP to lead the provincial government as a coalition between MKP, NFP and EFF who would have an equal number of parliamentary seats, forty, in the provincial legislature like the ANC, IFP and the DA.
THE former mayor of uMkhanyakude District Municipality, Siphile Mdaka, who has been directed by his party, the ANC, to resign from his current position as deputy mayor as his position isn't aligned with the party's mandate.
Image: Supplied
Bongani Gina, the provincial government spokesperson, echoed the IFP's statement and denied any imminent reshuffling of the cabinet."If there are any changes we would inform the media, but right now everything is running smoothly between the premier and the MECs," said Gina.
The ANC Youth League has also called for the ANC to exit the GPU following the ousting of uMkhanyakude District Municipality mayor, Siphile Mdaka, who was moved to deputy mayor position.
The ANC has since called on Mdaka to resign from his deputy mayor position citing an unsanctioned appointment which doesn't reflect the party's mandate.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE