NFP still mute on coalition with ANC

Clive Ndou

The ANC could find itself in the opposition benches in the Mtubatuba municipality where it recently failed to garner an outright majority vote, should the National Freedom Party (NFP) reject the ruling party’s offer for a coalition.

This after the NFP, which won two seats in the municipality’s recent by-elections, had indicated it still needed to consult its structures.

“Members of the NFP national executive council ( NEC) are currently in a meeting with representatives of our provincial and regional structures where the matter would be discussed,” NFP secretary-general Nhlanhla Khubisa said yesterday.

The ANC, which won 18 seats in last week’s by-elections, needs two seats to gain majority status in the municipality.

In the 2011 local government elections, the ANC had to be rescued by the NFP. However, bickering between the two parties last year rendered the council dysfunctional, prompting last week’s by-elections.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) won 15 seats while the Economic Freedom Party (EFF), the African Independent Congress (AIC) and the DA won one seat each.

Should the NFP reject the ANC’s proposal, there was a possibility of a coalition between the IFP, EFF, AIC, DA and NFP – as the five parties have 20 seats among them which could give them majority status.

This would see the ANC councillors occupying opposition benches.