The National Freedom Party is preparing to oppose legal action by expelled member and KwaZulu-Natal MEC Mbali Shinga, who is challenging her removal from the party. Shinga argues her appeal was improperly handled and plans to seek court intervention as the NFP moves to replace her in the provincial cabinet.
Image: KZN Social Development department / Facebook
The National Freedom Party (NFP) has dismissed a legal threat by its now-expelled member and sole MEC in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Mbali Shinga.
In a letter sent by the NFP's lawyers to Shinga, the party warned that it would oppose any legal bid by her to overturn her expulsion following her failed appeal to the party's National Working Committee.
Shinga has rejected the outcome, arguing that the party's National General Council — and not the National Working Committee — is the ultimate decision-making body responsible for hearing her appeal.
The NFP has dismissed this argument and is preparing to oppose any legal action by Shinga challenging her expulsion from the party.
"Members who hold office at district, provincial and national levels shall be brought before the District Tribunal constituted by the National Executive Committee. They may only appeal to the National Executive Committee," the NFP's legal response states, citing provisions of the party's constitution.
However, Shinga has vowed to pursue her legal challenge and is preparing to approach the courts this week.
The party has formally written to the provincial legislature advising that party president Ivan Barnes will replace Shinga as MEC for Social Development.
Should Shinga succeed in obtaining an interdict preventing the party from effecting the change pending the outcome of her legal challenge, she will remain in office as MEC.
This will mark the second legal showdown between the two sides after Shinga previously and successfully challenged her expulsion from the party earlier this year.
Shinga's battle with the party began after she defied an instruction to support an MK Party motion of no confidence against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli in December last year. Since then, tensions have escalated, with the party repeatedly attempting to remove her.
Shinga has continued to defy party instructions to resign despite twice losing internal appeals against her expulsion. She maintains that only the premier — and not the party — has the authority to remove her as MEC.
The NFP occupies a pivotal kingmaker role in KwaZulu-Natal despite holding just one seat in the 80-seat legislature. Its position helped tilt the balance of power in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) following the 2024 elections, earning the party a place in the governing coalition.
However, the NFP later withdrew from the GPU following political disagreements with its coalition partners and now sits on the opposition benches.
This has left the provincial legislature on a political tightrope. The governing coalition — comprising the IFP, ANC and DA — collectively holds 40 seats, while the opposition bloc of the MK Party, EFF and NFP also commands 40 seats.
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