South Africa: KZN Coalition Government On Shaky Ground As MK Looks to Muscle in

Economic Freedom Fighters
Julius Malema gives the main address at the fourth-anniversary celebrations of the Economic Freedom Fighters (file photo).
3 November 2024
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)
By Chris Makhaye

The MK party has reportedly started coalition negotiations in KwaZulu-Natal and is making a bid to take the province from the Government of Provincial Unity.

The KwaZulu-Natal coalition government is facing its biggest existential threat since its formation in June.

Also known as the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the coalition was formed by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and National Freedom Party (NFP). The uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were excluded.

At the 29 May elections, MK won 37 seats in the 80-seat KZN legislature, followed by the IFP, which won 15 seats, the ANC (14), the DA (11), the EFF (two) and the NFP (one).

MK disputed the election results and delayed coalition talks, which opened the door for the IFP, ANC, DA and NFP to form a government, with a total of 41 seats, which excluded the biggest party in the province.

MK has since upped the tempo in its attempt to gain power in KZN. Last week, it announced that former (ANC) premier Willies Mchunu had been tasked with negotiating with potential partners to form a government headed by MK.

At the weekend, political players held meetings that will decide whether the coalition government collapses or survives.

The...

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