Power in Nongoma just took another hit as fresh NFP exits ripped open party fractures and threatened yet another shuffle in council control.
NFP councillors quit in Nongoma
NFP councillors quit in Nongoma
- National Freedom Party councillors Kaiser Dladla and Clifford Ndabandaba stepped down from Nongoma Local Municipality.
- Resignation letters landed on 19 February 2026 after four years in office.
- Their exits follow three earlier NFP walkouts that triggered by-elections.
- Party tension reportedly centers on Ivan Barnes and the unity government fallout.
- National Freedom Party pulled out of the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity.
- Mbali Shinga was told to vacate her MEC for Social Development post.
- Disciplinary action targets Shinga for defying party voting instructions.
- December legislature drama involved a failed bid to remove Thami Ntuli.
- Clifford Ndabandaba previously held the Nongoma mayoral chain and executive seat.
- Corruption allegations tie him to Babongile Sithole and Sabelo Nkosi.
- Prosecutors accuse the trio of siphoning municipal cash.
- Ongoing court fights have battered public confidence in council leadership.
- Nongoma Local Municipality sits in northern KwaZulu-Natal with Zulu royal ties.
- African National Congress, Inkatha Freedom Party, NFP, and EFF trade control through alliances.
- A 2023 coalition takeover sparked threats and forced councillors into hiding.
- Fresh vacancies could stall water, road, and waste services.
- National Freedom Party was formed by Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi in 2011.
- KaMagwaza-Msibi once led Zululand District Municipality before her 2021 death.
- Since then, defections and infighting have chipped away at support.
- Withdrawal from provincial power left members questioning their future.
