South African court orders Mbali Shinga to leave KwaZulu-Natal legislature
The High Court in South Africa has ruled that KwaZulu-Natal legislature member Mbali Shinga must vacate her seat. The decision could strengthen the positions of Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and its ally, National Freedom Party (NFP) leader Ivan Barnes, Daily Maverick reports.
Dispute over the mandate
Shinga was the NFP's only representative in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature and served as the province's Member of the Executive Council for Social Development. Following the May 2024 elections, she was appointed to the post as part of a coalition of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and NFP.
The NFP leadership, headed by Barnes, sought to remove Shinga after she failed to follow a party instruction to support an MK-initiated motion of no confidence in provincial premier Thami Ntuli. In June, Shinga's lawyers secured a court order preventing her expulsion from the party pending an appeal against the disciplinary decision.
This week, Judge Sidwell Mngadi ruled that Shinga must vacate her seat. Her lawyer, Sthembiso Mbhele, said he would appeal. According to him, once the appeal papers are filed, the court order will have no legal force until the appeal is considered. NFP administrator Romeo Dladla, in turn, said that Shinga is out and Barnes should take her place; the legislature said he could be sworn in next week.
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Balance of power in the province
MK holds 37 seats in the 80-seat KwaZulu-Natal legislature. After the 2024 elections, the IFP, ANC, DA, and NFP coalition held 41 seats, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) pledged MK support with two votes. If Barnes represents the NFP and votes together with MK and the EFF, both camps will have 40 votes each.
Under this arrangement, the legislature could reach a deadlock. Daily Maverick sources in the provincial cabinet believe that the IFP, ANC, and DA will continue to govern it, although its work will be complicated. Ntuli will also have to decide who will hold the position of Member of the Executive Council for Social Development.
Local elections in eThekwini
The situation in the province is unfolding against the backdrop of preparations for November local elections in eThekwini. After the elections, the municipal council is expected to have 224 members. On September 16, South Africa's Electoral Commission announced the candidate lists: 69 parties and dozens of independent candidates will compete for seats. According to an Ipsos poll, support for MK in Durban could reach 55%.
