The KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) is hanging by a thread with the parties forming the pact racing against time to save the marriage. At the heart of a possible collapse is the bad blood and sour relations between the IFP and kingmakers NFP.
The breakdown in relations between the two old political foes reached a head this week when the NFP wrote a scathing letter accusing the IFP of backtracking on their agreement.
The NFP contended in the letter that part of the unwritten rules of engagement in joining the government of provincial unity was that it would be rewarded with a mayorship post in Zululand district, among other non-negotiables.
“We agreed in principle that all these matters and issues will be discussed after the swearing in of the premier and after the premier has appointed his cabinet. What is surprising now is that the IFP seems to be kicking the NFP from the back. This goes against the principles and clear negotiations,” reads the NFP’s grievance letter in part.
The letter was sent to IFP provincial chairman Thamsanqa Ntuli, who is also the premier of KwaZulu-Natal.
NFP president Irvin Barnes was believed to be vying for the post left vacant by Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, who is now Cogta MEC.
Barnes was on Wednesday sworn in as councillor in the Zululand district municipality, giving an indication he was gearing up to be handed over the mayoral chain. But it wasn’t to be as the IFP pulled a fast one by fielding their candidate Micheal Khumalo, leaving the NFP in disbelief. Khumalo went on to be elected mayor.
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa defended his party’s decision to go for the Zululand mayorship on its own. “It is common knowledge the IFP in the Zululand district holds the majority of councillors. The principle is as we hold the majority of councillors, we cannot exchange the will of the people and give it to another political party.”
Sphamandla Ntombela, NFP chief whip in the council, explained to Sunday World that the IFP’s antics left them shocked.
“We did not have numbers in the council. But we were banking on the IFP to support our candidate,” said Ntombela.
The NFP, a party formed by the late Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, a former IFP influential leader and party’s national chairperson, had enjoyed frosty relations with the IFP, which has remained unresolved.
The enmity was at its peak during the 2011 municipal elections, when the party made a clean sweep, almost snatching all municipalities in KZN from the IFP. The IFP only remained with two councils, Umsinga and Big Five local municipality in KwaHlabisa, northern KZN.
“We will engage the NFP’s leadership to find common ground. But I must also say, no agreement to co-govern at local government had been reached,” said Hlabisa.
Barnes told Sunday World yesterday the party had convened the national executive committee to deliberate on the sudden change of heart by the IFP. Key to the discussions will be whether the party will continue to participate in the GPU.
No party was able to record an outright majority, resulting in the DA, ANC, IFP and NFP forming a pact.
Combined, the parties have 41 legislature seats.
Although former president Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe Party received the highest percentage of provincial votes at 45%, translating to 37 legislature seats, it was relegated to the opposition benches.
