MK Party-NFP talks postponed after police flag security threat

A planned meeting between the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the National Freedom Party (NFP) in Durban on Saturday was postponed after police identified a security threat, the nature of which has not yet been disclosed. According to a source close to the matter, both parties were approached by police intelligence and advised not to proceed with the gathering as scheduled. I understand that both parties were contacted by police intelligence and advised not to convene the meeting as scheduled.

They were also advised that when they decide on a date to reschedule, they should keep the date and venue secret. The talks were expected to focus on charting a way forward to revive the MK Party’s bid in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature to remove Premier Thami Ntuli through a motion of no confidence. The initial attempt, initiated by the MK Party, which holds 37 seats in the 80-seat legislature, and supported by the EFF with two seats, had also drawn backing from the National Freedom Party.

The NFP had mandated its only MPL, Mbali Shinga, to support the move. The effort faltered after Shinga announced she would not support Ntuli’s removal. NFP acting secretary-general Bheki Xaba confirmed the postponement but declined to provide details, saying only that the meeting would take place at a future date.

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Xaba said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the next steps in reintroducing the motion. There is a mutual interest between the two parties, so we are looking forward to the meeting to discuss how to bring the matter back to the legislature. We remain supportive of the Premier’s removal because of the corruption allegedly happening under his watch.

“We will be meeting with other parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party. The meeting with the latter is scheduled for the 15th of February,” said Xaba.

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