NFP Plunges into Chaos: Chairperson Mkhabela Recalled in Leadership Battle

The National Freedom Party (NFP) is currently embroiled in significant internal turmoil, with several high-profile members facing disciplinary action and potential removal. At the forefront of these developments is Sibusiso Shevu Mkhabela, the eDumbe mayor, whose political future is now uncertain. The party’s national executive committee (NEC) has resolved to immediately remove Mkhabela from his positions as national chairperson and a member of the NEC and national working committee. According to party secretary-general Sunset Bheki Xaba, no specific reasons were publicly provided for Mkhabela’s immediate recall from these influential roles.

Mkhabela is known to be a close ally of Mbali Shinga, the former NFP KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) chairperson and MEC for social development, who was expelled from the party on June 4. Shinga was also removed as a member of the provincial legislature. Her expulsion followed an appeals tribunal upholding the decision to fire her, stemming from her defiance of party instructions during a crucial no-confidence vote against KZN premier Thami Ntuli in December. Despite the NFP directing her to vote in favor of an uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party)-sponsored motion, Shinga instead aligned with the Democratic Alliance (DA), African National Congress (ANC), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), who constitute the government of provincial unity (GPU).

In response to her removal from the provincial cabinet and the party, Shinga has initiated legal proceedings in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. She seeks to contest her expulsion and prevent any individual from being sworn in as her replacement in the legislature. The divisions within the NFP are further highlighted by the differing stances on political alliances. Mkhabela was among those who openly criticized party president Irvin Barnes, accusing him of creating party divisions and advocating for his removal. Barnes and his supporters reportedly favor an alliance with the MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to destabilize the KZN GPU. Conversely, Mkhabela, Shinga, and their sympathizers advocate for the NFP to maintain its involvement within the GPU.

Adding to the party’s challenges, the NFP’s top leadership has also suspended Zodwa Mtshali, the KZN provincial secretary and deputy mayor of uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality. Mtshali's suspension, which will last for three months pending an internal investigation, was attributed to “unruly behaviour.” This refers to her issuing a media statement that publicly opposed Shinga’s expulsion and affirmed the KZN provincial executive’s support for Shinga’s legal challenge. The cumulative impact of these actions leaves Mkhabela’s mayorship in a precarious position, as the NFP grapples with profound internal rifts and leadership disputes.