The National Freedom Party (NFP) has reportedly pulled out of KwaZulu-Natal’s government of provincial unity (GPU), a move that could shake an already fragile coalition.

The GPU currently holds a narrow 41-seat majority in the 80-seat provincial legislature, through the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), with 15 seats, the African National Congress (14 seats), the Democratic Alliance (11 seats), and the NFP (one seat). The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has 37 seats, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) holds two.

MK has apparently tabled a motion of no confidence in Premier Thami Ntuli of the IFP. If the NFP and EFF back the motion, 40 votes would support it against 39 opposed (the speaker cannot vote). Yet by law, a no-confidence motion succeeds only with an outright majority of members, meaning the motion would still fail by a single vote.

The NFP itself appears divided. Party leader Ivan Barnes reportedly supports the motion, but the party’s sole member of the provincial legislature, Mbali Shinga, who serves as MEC for social development, has said the GPU: “remains stable”. Her stance suggests the NFP’s formal exit may not yet translate into a decisive vote against the coalition.

If the legislature becomes deadlocked, KwaZulu-Natal could face an early provincial election.