KwaZulu-Natal's political landscape faces upheaval after National Freedom Party leader Ivan Barnes demanded the removal of Premier Thami Ntuli and two African National Congress provincial officials over alleged graft totaling 64 billion rand. Barnes announced on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, during a Durban press conference that his organization will reconsider its Government of Provincial Unity participation unless authorities address spending violations documented in recent legislative oversight findings. Transport accounts showed 34.4 billion rand in questionable transactions while Health recorded 24 billion rand and Education registered 5.7 billion rand in irregular disbursements.
The party president revealed upcoming discussions with uMkhonto weSizwe Party representatives, potentially triggering coalition collapse since the National Freedom Party's lone legislative seat proved essential for establishing the current 40-member governing majority. Barnes criticized Ntuli's administration for workforce terminations, unexplained overseas expenditures and procurement irregularities. Internal friction surfaced as provincial chairperson Mbali Shinga publicly rejected national directives regarding confidence votes, prompting disciplinary proceedings against dissenting officials.
Barnes invoked founder Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi's principles while characterizing corruption as harmful to vulnerable populations. Any National Freedom Party withdrawal could force new balloting or alternative governance arrangements, possibly favoring uMkhonto weSizwe Party control.
The party president revealed upcoming discussions with uMkhonto weSizwe Party representatives, potentially triggering coalition collapse since the National Freedom Party's lone legislative seat proved essential for establishing the current 40-member governing majority. Barnes criticized Ntuli's administration for workforce terminations, unexplained overseas expenditures and procurement irregularities. Internal friction surfaced as provincial chairperson Mbali Shinga publicly rejected national directives regarding confidence votes, prompting disciplinary proceedings against dissenting officials.
Barnes invoked founder Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi's principles while characterizing corruption as harmful to vulnerable populations. Any National Freedom Party withdrawal could force new balloting or alternative governance arrangements, possibly favoring uMkhonto weSizwe Party control.
