• Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza from the MK Party says the KZN government has “lost direction” under Premier Thami Ntuli and wants him removed.

• The move adds to the tension in the Government of Provincial Unity, just weeks after King Misuzulu praised Ntuli’s leadership. 

The Deputy Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and the Nation, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, has filed a vote of no confidence against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli.

Chiliza, who also represents the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the KZN Legislature, submitted the motion on Monday, accusing Ntuli’s government of losing direction since taking office.

“We have lost confidence in Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. The provincial government under his leadership has lost direction. That is why we want the speaker to call an urgent sitting to vote him out,” said Chiliza.

He wants the KZN Speaker to call a special sitting within two weeks to debate and vote on the motion.

The move comes just weeks after King Misuzulu kaZwelithini publicly praised Premier Ntuli’s leadership at the King Shaka Day commemoration in KwaDukuza, saying the Zulu Kingdom was working well with him.

Chiliza’s motion has sparked political tension in the Government of Provincial Unity. The ANC in KZN has requested an urgent meeting with the IFP to address rising friction between coalition partners.

The fallout also follows growing anger from the ANC Youth League, which has accused IFP Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi of “bullying” ANC-led municipalities.

Recently, the IFP successfully tabled a vote of no confidence in uMkhanyakude mayor Siphile Mdaka, replacing him with IFP leader Comfort Khumalo.

ANC task team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu said the party had not yet taken a stance on Chiliza’s motion and would first study its contents.

The MK Party holds 37 seats in the KZN Legislature, while the EFF’s two seats could give them 39 votes combined — short of the 41 needed to remove Ntuli.

Pictured above: Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza files a vote of no confidence against KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.

Image source: @kzncogta