Urgent meeting called by GPU partners amid no confidence motion against KwaZulu-Natal Premier

The key partners in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) have called for an urgent meeting to address their differences amid threats to oust the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, through a vote of no confidence.

The IFP and the ANC said there is a need for urgent discussions between the two parties to address some of the challenges threatening the existence of the GPU. This comes as the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) has filed a motion of no confidence against the Premier. Although MKP is the largest party in the province, it is not part of the government, which is formed by the IFP, DA, ANC, and NFP.

The move by the MKP follows existing tensions between the parties in the GPU. The ANC alleges that other GPU partners are targeting its municipalities. The ANC Youth League has publicly called for the mother body to exit the GPU, arguing that remaining in the arrangement could lead to the destruction of the ANC.

The MKP said that its motion had been submitted to the office of the speaker. The Office of the Speaker in the KZN legislature confirmed receipt of the motion of no confidence against Premier Ntuli, submitted by the MKP on Monday. The motion will be processed in accordance with the Legislature Standing Rules and other applicable legislative frameworks.

ANC leader Mike Mabuyakhulu said, “As the ANC mother body, we know why we joined the GPU, and those reasons have not changed,” said Mabuyakhulu.

He added that the Youth League's anger regarding the IFP's actions to remove ANC leadership in the Umkhanyakude District Municipality has altered the environment, prompting calls for the ANC and IFP to urgently discuss how to address the situation they are facing.

Mabuyakhulu also said the ANC has not been approached by anyone regarding the motion of no confidence.

“At this point in time, the ANC has no position on the motion of no confidence. We will take our time to look at the content of the motion and have our internal discussions.”

He said the behaviour of the IFP in Umkhanyakude has defined the current relationship between the two parties and confirmed that the two parties are set to meet. “I will not pre-empt what we will say, but as soon as we have met, we will go public.”

The DA said it would not want to comment on the matter at the moment and directed all questions to the office of the premier.

Premier Ntuli, however, dismissed MKP's claims, asserting that his government is stable and moving forward.

“We are saying as the IFP that this government is stable. We have been able to deliver for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. We are aggressive in fighting crime and corruption, and as a result, the crime rate has been dropping.

“We are hopeful that the crime statistics released by the Minister of Police will show a decrease, indicating that we are moving in a much more positive direction,” he said, adding that an investment conference is forthcoming, which they hope will lead to R90 billion in investment and create 90 000 job opportunities.

“For a party to submit a motion of no confidence, I think it is craziness. There is not much basis to say there is something wrong or that we are failing. We have been able to rescue departments that are struggling due to financial pressure, and we are providing solutions to all challenges. As the IFP, we do not believe this was necessary. We do not want a government that will keep changing for narrow and ulterior motives.”

He added that the ANCYL has the right to make comments and that parties in GPU must engage on the issues to ensure the coalition government remains intact.

The motion, dated October 13, suggests that the MKP is submitting the motion against the Premier due to his failure to lead. The motion was filed by MKP leader Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, who stated, “I write to formally submit a motion of no confidence in Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.”

“The motion outlines the grounds for this resolution and requests the urgent convening of a special sitting to debate and vote on the matter within two weeks of receipt,” said Chiliza. “Under Premier Thamsanqa (Thami) Ntuli, governance has lost direction, and administrative control over provincial departments is weak.

“The credibility and integrity of the Office have been severely undermined by serious allegations of financial mismanagement, especially regarding the Premier’s New York trip, which cost approximately R7 million, and the contradiction of his sworn testimony during the sitting of the Legislature in March 2025. The Premier has repeatedly used official government events and functions as platforms to advance the political interests and visibility of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), breaching neutral public service obligations and violating ethical and constitutional norms for public representatives,” he said.

He added that Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who is an IFP leader, bears direct responsibility for the collapse of municipalities in KZN, particularly in areas where Cogta is constitutionally mandated to intervene, support, and enforce oversight.

THE MERCURY