Talks are under way to save the KwaZulu-Natal Government from collapse.
Image: Shan Pillay / File
A Cabinet reshuffle is on the cards in KwaZulu-Natal’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), as EFF indicates its willingness to join the coalition, which includes the DA.
The former coalition partners in the Gauteng metros vowed never to work together again following the collapse of their relationship, which was forged after the 2016 local government elections.
Forced by circumstances in KwaZulu-Natal, the EFF Provincial Secretary, Vukani Ndlovu, confirmed that there are engagements between his party and certain GPU partners to join the coalition following the withdrawal of NFP and the subsequent removal of Mbali Shinga after her dismissal by the NFP.
Ndlovu said his party is open to talks with the IFP, saying there are areas where both parties have mutual understanding, such as the Nongoma Local Municipality, where they co-govern.
“We are willing to be engaged and join the GPU. It won't be impossible to talk to IFP because there are areas where we agree and don't agree. I don’t think there is a party that wants to see instability in the provincial government, which would come with the dissolution of the government. EFF will choose stability in the province,” said Ndlovu.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior IFP member said that after Shinga’s removal from the Legislature, which meant automatic expulsion as the Social Development MEC, the IFP started approaching the EFF to join the GPU.
Asked whether the DA would accept serving in a Cabinet with the EFF, the member said that, considering that there is only one available option to save the government from collapse, all GPU partners, including the DA, would have to live with this reality - that is, either the EFF comes on board, or the government collapses and goes to fresh provincial elections.
“I do not think there is a member of the GPU who would want to see the collapse of the government. The dissolution of the government would have negative consequences for all parties involved. Politics is dynamic, and there is no guarantee that all these parties that are in the Legislature now will return after fresh elections. Hence, we want to save this current arrangement for the sake of stability and continuity,” said the member.
The DA provincial leader, Sithembiso Ngema, also toned down his party’s stance on the EFF, saying the DA would not have a problem with the EFF’s inclusion in the GPU; however, its main concern would be to serve with them in a Cabinet where important service delivery decisions would have to be taken.
“We are not entirely against the EFF joining the GPU; they can be part of the coalition without serving in the Cabinet, but let’s wait and see what agreement they reach with the IFP, as we are not talking to them,” said Ngema.
The push for the EFF’s inclusion comes amid the growing pressure on Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli to reshuffle the executive or make a straight replacement of Shinga.
Last week, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party wrote him a letter demanding to know why the Social Development Department continues without the MEC.
The party argues that Shinga ceased to be the MEC on June 3 when Speaker Nontembeko Boyce formally announced her removal.
Neither the ANC nor the IFP has confirmed whether they are talking to the EFF at the time of publication. The Premier’s Office also did not respond to when the new Social Development MEC would be appointed.