NFP endorses MK Party to run KZN government

The National Freedom Party (NFP) has endorsed the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party to run the KwaZulu-Natal government in a surprising move that could collapse the already fragile coalition government in the province.

The NFP, which is a partner in the current coalition government, made an explosive statement on Sunday withdrawing its support for KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli.

ALSO READ: NFP KZN withdraws support for GPU citing lack of 'meaningful reviews'

The party said there’s a lack of genuine partnership in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), making it ineffective.

In the 2024 general elections, the MK Party scooped 45% of the provincial votes.

However, the Inkatha Freedom Party (NFP), African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and the NFP joined forces and formed a GPU to keep the MK Party at bay.

A year into the coalition-led government, the NFP has expressed dissatisfaction and hopes for a new political direction.

Party president Ivan Barnes said: "Our way forward, as the National Freedom Party, the ongoing political discussions among parties in KwaZulu-Natal and the overwhelming support the electorate expressed for the MK Party (MKP) in the recent provincial elections, we believe it may be prudent to allow the MKP to take a leading role in any future provincial governance formation."

The MK Party has 37 seats out of the 80 in the provincial legislature and would need four seats to constitute a government.