Mbali Shinga defies NFP suspension, continues as MPL

<p>Officials in the Legislature said Boyce had not been informed about the latest development. </p>

<p>Xaba said although the party cannot remove Shinga as the MPL; she occupies it without the leadership’s blessing. </p>

<p>Despite the court order, Xaba said the party’s call for Shinga to resign from the GPU and Legislature still stands.</p>

<p>“Whatever she does, she is doing it on her own accord without the party’s mandate because she is stubborn.  </p>

<p>“In other words she is no longer representing the party’s mandate in the GPU and Legislature despite occupying our seat,” said Xaba. </p>

<p>Xaba said Shinga’s relationship with the NFP ended when she was fired for defying the party’s instruction to leave the GPU, support a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli’s cabinet and resign as MPL.</p>

<p>Despite that the party has adhered to the court ruling by reinstating Shinga’s membership and as the provincial chairperson, Xaba said the NEC does not recognise her as the member “but we respect the court”.</p>

<p>“But the court should not interfere with the terrains or battles of political parties because parties are controlled by their own rules and constitutions.</p>

<p>“We will recognise what the court has done even though it is against our party’s constitution,” said Xaba.  </p>

<p>In the statement, Xaba said the party’s national executive committee (NEC) held a virtual meeting on June 19 where Barnes reported on the outcome of the High Court’s interim order. </p>

<p>The NEC then sent Shinga a formal letter suspending her membership until her appeal on expulsion is concluded. </p>

<p>“The NEC has confirmed your (Shinga) suspension, which shall remain in force until such time as your matter has been duly concluded in line with the Interim Court Order.</p>

<p>“During the period of suspension, you are hereby instructed to desist from performing any party duties, and engaging in or participating in any NFP programs,” read the letter.</p>

<p>Xaba said although Shinga has been instructed to stay away from the party’s activities, she is now occupying the seat through stubbornness.</p>

<p>“She is at war with the party. </p>

<p>“We are not going to write to the Speaker about the suspension because even the Speaker is at war with us and they are supporting her (Shinga),” said Xaba.</p>

<p>The extent of the division within the party has seen party national chairperson <a href="https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-06-21-ivan-barnes-suspended-as-nfp-president-amid-political-turmoil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sibusiso Mkhabela</a> taking Shinga’s side by suspending Barnes. </p>

<p>Xaba previously said the NEC would not pay attention to Barnes’s suspension because Mkhabela suspended him after Mkhabela had been fired from the position. </p>

<p>Barnes’s faction has also suspended some of Shinga’s backers including the party's provincial secretary Zodwa Mtshali.</p>

<p>When asked how the party is going to face the local government elections with such infighting, Xaba said the majority of the party supporters back the NEC. </p>

<p> “Wherever we go, people are supporting the NFP leadership because the NFP is not about individuals.</p>

<p>“People know the wrongs that Shinga has committed and those who are supporting her do so because she supports them financially.</p>

<p>“You will see who will side with her once she runs out of money,” said Xaba. </p>

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Guardian Sport · Jun 24

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