The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has called on its allies in the government of provincial unity to set aside differences and work together to ensure stability in the province. This follows a high-level meeting with the National Freedom Party (NFP). DA provincial chairperson Dean Macpherson said the party held a bilateral meeting with the NFP in Durban to discuss its participation in the GPU after the smaller party’s recent withdrawal raised concerns about potential instability in the provincial legislature.
Macpherson said in a statement the meeting was cordial and informative, attended by senior members of both parties and lasting more than two hours. “The meeting also gave the DA insight into current frustrations experienced by the NFP in the GPU,” said Macpherson. The NFP’s exit from the coalition was driven by what it described as unfulfilled promises and feelings of marginalisation by larger coalition partners.
This led to the party requesting its sole member in the provincial legislature, Mbali Shinga, to resign as MEC for social development. However, Shinga hasrefused to step down, triggering disciplinary proceedings within the NFP and fuelling speculation about further political manoeuvring in the legislature. Macpherson said the DAwelcomedthe opportunity to engage.
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“The DA welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from the NFP regarding their concerns, as well as their expectations to resume talks around the future of the GPU,” he said. The NFP’s withdrawal has heightened fears of a possible 40–40 seat deadlock in the legislature which could severely hamper governance in the province. “As a responsible and committed member of the GPU, the DA will be inviting the IFP, ANC and NFP to a multiparty meeting to allow all parties to raise issues that are important to them as well as resolve outstanding differences,” said Macpherson.
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