The IFP national executive council (NEC) has thrown its weight behind its provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli in the face of the motion of no confidence tabled by the MK Party against him. In amongst other things, the MK Party has accused Ntuli of presiding over an underperforming government of provincial unity (GPU), which the party claims was corrupt. However, in a statement issued on Tuesday following the IFP’s NEC regular meeting held in Durban on Monday, the party’s top leadership structure said the GPU under Ntuli has served the people of KZN well.
“The IFP reaffirms its full confidence in the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Hon. Thami Ntuli, ahead of the baseless motion of no confidence brought by the uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (MKP). This motion represents a reckless attempt to destabilise the province at a time when KZN requires focused governance and continuity.
“Under Premier Ntuli’s leadership, KwaZulu-Natal has made notable strides, including securing R100 billion in investment — signifying investor confidence in the province’s stability and direction.“If the MKP truly believes it has legitimate concerns, it should submit them to the appropriate oversight bodies rather than resorting to political theatrics. Moreover, the MKP must prioritise pressing issues of its own making — especially the safe return of South Africans misled into travelling to Russia to engage in a conflict they neither understood nor consented to,” the IFP NEC said. The motion of the MK Party, which has 37 seats out of the KZN Legislature’s 80 seats, will come up for voting in the provincial parliament on Monday.
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GPU parties, which have a collective 41 seats in the KZN Legislature, were widely expected to vote against the motion of no confidence against Ntuli. DA provincial deputy leader Sithembiso Ngema described the MK Party’s motion against Ntuli, and by extension against the GPU, as an attempt by the MK Party to topple a “legitimate government”. “This motion is nothing more than a cynical attempt to distract from the MKP’s own lack of economic vision and its record of turning public institutions into personal fiefdoms. We stand firm on the promise we made to the people of KwaZulu Natal, to fight corruption, to enforce accountability, and to ensure that service delivery reaches every corner of our province.
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