MKP and EFF slam ruling on Ntuli vote

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party request for a secrete ballot during a motion of no confidence against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli was denied by the provincial legislature on Monday.

The MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters objected to the ruling after the Speaker rejected the request and ruled that the vote would be conducted openly. The motion of no confidence was brought against Premier Ntuli, with the MK Party describing him as useless during the proceedings.

Following the ruling, the Speaker instructed officials to ring a bell to confirm that the voting process should begin. MK Party members responded by singing struggle songs inside the chamber, including asinalo uvalo, which loosely translates to we have no fear.

Speaking to the media after the decision, MK Party National Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela criticised the ruling and the manner in which it was reached. He said the Speaker failed to give members of the legislature an opportunity to express a vote that reflects the will of the people of the province. Ndhlela said some members wanted to vote according to their conscience, but this opportunity was denied.

Ndhlela further stated that the Speaker selectively applied case law, referring to a 2017 matter involving the United Democratic Movement. He said the ruling did not reflect democratic principles and that the Speaker should have ensured that members were allowed to vote with their conscience.

EFF Secretary General Marshall Dlamini also criticised the Speaker, describing her as arrogant and highlighting that the issue of threats against legislators was serious. Dlamini said the refusal to allow a secrete ballot was irrational and placed lives at risk. “For her to refuse a secrete ballot is irrational and she is playing with people’s lives. She knows the conditions of politics of KZN will not end here,” Dlamini said.

Earlier on Monday, the MK Party issued a statement condemning what it described as political intolerance and intimidation in KwaZulu-Natal. The party said its members in the provincial legislature had received threats from members and supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The MK Party named Bongumusa Mkhize, Sthembiso Magubane, Bonginkosi Cyprian Mngadi, Simphiwe Moyo and Mervyn Dirks as those affected. The party said it had opened a case of intimidation and violence at the South African Police Service Hilton Police Station in Pietermaritzburg.

According to the statement, the threats followed the MK Party lawful call for the removal of Premier Ntuli. The party said it would not be intimidated and reaffirmed its right to engage in political activity without fear or coercion. It also called on the police to act urgently to address politically motivated threats, intimidation, violence and killings in the province.

The MK Party confirmed that it proceeded with the motion of no confidence against Premier Ntuli at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.

The MK Party gained majority votes during the 2024 general elections. However, the African National Congress, Inkatha Freedom Party, Democratic Alliance and National Freedom Party formed a Provincial Government of Unity similar to the Government of National Unity. The National Freedom Party later left the arrangement, retaining one seat which positions it as a potential kingmaker.

Police in full SAPS uniform were prevented entry by MK Party members from entering the legislature. They are singing and chanting.

More than 7000 MK Party supporters gathered in support of the party, while leader Jacob Zuma attended the sitting as a guest inside the legislature. Outside the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature, IFP supporters were seen picketing, singing struggle songs and carrying placards stating that Ntuli was not going anywhere.