KwaZulu-Natal National Freedom Party chairperson and MEC of Social Development Mbali Shinga has lost her appeal against her expulsion from the party.
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The political future of KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC and National Freedom Party (NFP) provincial chairperson Mbali Shinga hangs in the balance after the party's appeal body upheld her expulsion from the organisation.
In a final ruling delivered on Saturday, the appeal panel dismissed Shinga's challenge against findings that she was guilty of gross insubordination and misconduct, effectively bringing to an end a months-long internal battle that has shaken the NFP and threatened the stability of KwaZulu-Natal's Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
Documents seen by the Sunday Tribune show that the appeal chairperson rejected Shinga's arguments challenging both the disciplinary process and the legitimacy of the appeal proceedings.
"I find that the current chairperson was validly appointed. The chairperson of the hearing correctly found that she was guilty on both counts and imposed a sanction of expulsion from the party due to, inter alia, the gravity of the charges and the broken relationship of trust between the parties," the ruling stated.
The appeal panel also took a dim view of Shinga's conduct throughout the disciplinary process.
"I have personally noted the appellant's defiant conduct throughout, which constitutes a grave aggravating factor and justifies a sanction of expulsion. There is no indication of remorse at all by the appellant up to this point," the ruling said.
The disciplinary proceedings stem from Shinga's decision to defy a party instruction to vote alongside the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in support of a motion of no confidence against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli on December 15, 2025.
Within days, the NFP suspended Shinga and instituted disciplinary proceedings, which culminated in her being found guilty and expelled from the party.
In her appeal, Shinga advanced several legal and procedural arguments, including claims that the NFP's leadership structures were improperly constituted because key formations, including the youth and women's wings, were vacant. She also argued that the party had failed to comply with principles of administrative justice and challenged the appointment of the appeal chairperson.
However, the appeal panel dismissed these arguments, describing some of them as "opportunistic" and "disingenuous".
The ruling emphasised that the NFP is a voluntary association governed by its own constitution and internal rules, rather than by public administrative legislation. It further found that party structures had the necessary quorum when decisions relating to disciplinary action against Shinga were taken.
The decision could have far-reaching political implications for the KwaZulu-Natal GPU.
Although the NFP holds only one seat in the provincial legislature, the party has emerged as a crucial kingmaker. NFP president Ivan Barnes has repeatedly stated that the party has shifted its political alignment towards the MK Party and the EFF, a move that could place additional strain on the Inkatha Freedom Party-led coalition government, which also includes the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance.
Sources close to coalition negotiations have indicated that GPU partners have been attempting to persuade the NFP to remain within the governing arrangement.
Meanwhile, Shinga's legal team has sought to protect her seat in the provincial legislature. Her attorney, Sithembiso Mbhele, previously wrote to Speaker Nontembeko Boyce requesting that she not remove Shinga from the legislature on the basis of her expulsion, arguing that the disciplinary process was inconsistent with the party's constitution.
Attempts to get comment from Mbhele on their next course of action were unsuccessful yesterday.
On Saturday, the NFP's Secretary General Bheki Xaba said, "After a comprehensive disciplinary process, inclusive of the Appeal Tribunal, Ms Shinga has been found guilty of misconduct and gross insubordination in strict compliance with the provision of the NFP constitution. The sanction imposed is her expulsion from the National Freedom Party with immediate effect.
"In accordance with Clause 3.6.2, a member who ceases to be a member of a party, loses all privileges of party membership and, if that member is a public representative, he or she also loses the office which he or she occupies by virtue of his or her membership, with immediate effect."
"Consequently, Ms Shinga's membership in both the NFP and the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is terminated with immediate effect."
With the appeal now dismissed, the NFP is expected to move ahead with processes to replace Shinga in the provincial legislature, in line with Section 106(3)(c) of the Constitution, which stipulates that a member of the Legislature ceases to be member when he or she ceases to be a member of the party that nominated him or her to represent them in the Legislature.
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