DA and NFP set to discuss the future of the Government of Provincial Unity in KZN
DA and NFP leaders prepare for crucial discussions on the future of the Government of Provincial Unity in KwaZulu-Natal amid rising political tensions
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
THE Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the National Freedom Party (NFP) this weekend to discuss the future of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
This meeting comes in the wake of the NFP's withdrawal from the coalition government three weeks ago, which has raised uncertainty about whether the GPU will complete its term until 2029.
Following the NFP's exit, the party has been inundated with requests for meetings from GPU parties, all reaching out to the national executive committee led by Ivan Barnes for discussions.
DA provincial chairperson Dean Macpherson confirmed that his delegation would meet the NFP on Saturday. However, he declined to provide specific details about the meeting, stating that his party's primary goal is to listen to the NFP's concerns first before proceeding.
“We are going to listen to them and find out how we can find each other,” he said.
Attempts to confirm the meeting with the NFP's acting Secretary-General, Sunset Xaba, were unsuccessful.
Last week, the NFP met with the African National Congress (ANC) and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). Reports indicated that the NFP expressed concerns regarding the treatment of its president, who is seen as the leader of the kingmaker, a sentiment that the ANC acknowledged and promised to consider.
However, the NFP later denied these claims, labelling them as misleading information. In a statement, the party announced it would remain outside the GPU until the disciplinary processes against its sole legislature member, Mbali Shinga, are concluded.
Shinga is currently undergoing a disciplinary hearing after she openly defied the party's directive to support the MKP-sponsored motion of no confidence against Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli last month.
After their meeting with the DA, the NFP is also expected to engage with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which has requested a meeting. The NFP has accused the IFP of failing to honour an earlier agreement to transfer control of the Zululand District Municipality as a top-up to one ministry. However, the IFP has denied any such agreement, asserting that while the matter was discussed, no formal agreement was reached.