Urgent meeting called by GPU partners

Concerns grow over Premier Thami Ntuli’s leadership

- THAMI MAGUBANE [e-mail]

THE key partners in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) have called for an urgent meeting to address their differences amid threats to oust the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, through a vote of no confidence.

The IFP and the ANC said there is a need for urgent discussions between the two parties to address some of the challenges threatening the existence of the GPU. This comes as the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) has filed a motion of no confidence against the Premier. Although MKP is the largest party in the province, it is not part of the government, which is formed by the IFP, DA, ANC, and NFP.

The move by the MKP follows existing tensions between the parties in the GPU. The ANC alleges that other GPU partners are targeting its municipalities. The ANC Youth League has publicly called for the mother body to exit the GPU, arguing that remaining in the arrangement could lead to the destruction of the ANC.

The MKP said that its motion had been submitted to the office of the speaker. The Office of the Speaker in the KZN legaisture confirmed receipt of the motion of no confidence against Premier Ntuli, submitted by the MKP on Monday. The motion will be processed in accordance with the Legislature Standing Rules and other applicable legislative frameworks.

ANC leader Mike Mabuyakhulu said, “As the ANC mother body, we know why we joined the GPU, and those reasons have not changed,’ said Mabuyakhulu.