Violence erupts in KZN legislature after MK Party motion to oust Premier Ntuli fails

Violence broke out in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Monday after a motion of no confidence by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party to remove Premier Thami Ntuli failed following an open ballot.

Chaos erupted after KZN Speaker Nontembeko Boyce announced that the motion had not passed and confirmed that Ntuli would remain in office.

“The motion has failed. Honourable Ntuli remains the premier. The House is adjourned,” Boyce said after announcements of the results of the open vote.

Her announcement triggered protests by MK Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members, who had demanded a secret ballot instead of the open ballot ruled on by the Speaker. 

The situation escalated as members clashed with police who were called in to restore order.

Earlier, the legislature descended into disorder as MK and EFF members sang on the floor of the house and disrupted proceedings after Boyce rejected their request for a secret ballot.

The MK Party argued that some members had received threats and would not feel free to vote openly, insisting that a secret ballot was necessary to ensure safety and fairness.

Boyce dismissed the demand, prompting MK and EFF members to break into song. 

“Asina uvalo ngalento esiyenzayo (We have no fear of what we are doing),” they sang.

She repeatedly warned members to return to their seats or face removal. When disruptions continued, Boyce called on police to escort the members out.

Some MK Party members resisted, shouting, “Guns are not allowed in the house,” as proceedings were temporarily suspended.

The motion required at least 41 votes to pass in the 80-member legislature. 

The MK Party, which holds 37 seats, secured the backing of the EFF (two seats) and the National Freedom Party (one), giving it 40 votes - one short of the required majority.

The Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), made up of the Inkatha Freedom Party (15 seats), the African National Congress (14), the Democratic Alliance (11) and the NFP (one), holds a narrow majority of 41 votes.

The MK Party has sought to remove Ntuli in an effort to take control of the provincial government, arguing that he leads an underperforming administration plagued by corruption and financial mismanagement. 

This is despite the party having won the largest share of the vote in last year’s provincial elections.

Police are trying to calm the situation; meanwhile, Ntuli remains in office.

IOL Politics