KwaZulu-Natal will likely be led by either the Umkhonto we'Sizwe party, an IFP-led coalition government or a coalition of both parties, a leading leader said. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
- The ANC has been in talks with several political parties at the national level.
- At the state level,Informal consultations are also taking place on power-sharing in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature.
- of ANC is Gauteng is considering implementing provincial unification Government iA system similar to a national unity government.
Ongoing talks to form a government in KwaZulu-Natal are in turmoil.
According to leading political leaders, the province is likely to be led by either an MK party, an IFP-led coalition government or a coalition of both parties.
Former president Jacob Zuma's MK party received the most votes in KwaZulu-Natal, winning 45.35 percent and winning 37 seats in the Pietermaritzburg-based provincial assembly. MK needs just five more seats to take control of the 80-seat provincial assembly.
An insider involved in the talks told News24 that some IFP leaders want to completely remove the DA, with whom they have a service delivery agreement in the province, while some ANC officials want to work out a deal to remove the DA from the provincial leadership, even if it means working with the ANC's new arch rival, the MK Party.
“There is no confusion within the IFP,” IFP spokesman Mukuleko Lengwa said.
“The IFP coalition team, led by its deputy speaker, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, has provided clarification to the NEC. [national executive committee] today [Monday] accordingly.”
Read | United State: Secret talks between ANC and DA 'positive' as ruling party courts opposition
Some ANC leaders prefer an alliance with the DA/IFP/National Freedom Party (NFP).
“It's a tough call,” said a senior politician familiar with the state talks.
There is confusion as the parties have come up with different policies: some members of the IFP are ready to enter into a coalition with MK, and some members of the ANC are ready to enter into a coalition with MK.
News24 understands the IFP, DA, ANC and NFP have held several informal meetings, which another leader said were to discuss “proposed cooperation and agreements” between the parties in parliament.
One party leader said the IFP was considering splitting with the DA in favour of the MK party, which has more electoral support in KwaZulu-Natal, despite the fact that the two parties had a service delivery agreement to support the IFP in the province.
The matter was conveyed to the DA's Dean MacPherson, who said the party had made it clear to all parties and leaders that “we cannot and will not work with the MK Party or the EFF”.
He said there had been no communication from the IFP about its intention to stop working with the DA in support of the MK party.
“In any case, the MK Party is not represented in local municipalities. [the DA and IFP] “The two countries are working together so in our view there's no room for debate,” MacPherson said.
A source told News24 that ANC leaders were also reluctant to work with the DA.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Mafika Mndebele said provincial secretary Bheki Mtlo was leading discussions with other parties in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mndebele refused to answer questions about whether the ANC was happy with the progress of the talks and whether it had spoken to all parties, including the EFF and MK Party, saying: “We are not satisfied with the progress of the talks.
Once the discussion is over, we will make an announcement. Can you please respect the process?
The NFP, which holds a crucial seat, could not be reached for comment.
The party adopted resolutions on leaders involved in coalition talks including deputy leader Milton Sokela, treasurer Xolani Sibiya, national executive committee member Edward Twala, provincial secretary Emmanuel Twala and national executive secretary Themba Dladla.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds the makeup of Gauteng's provincial government as its leaders seek a way forward.
Interviews for the Gauteng premier are underway with the ANC considering retaining Panyaza Lesufi in the premiership.
Mr Lesufi's future remains unclear as consultations and negotiations continue for a Government of National Unity (GNU). In a recent meeting, the ANC's NEC discussed the possibility of working with the MK party to govern jointly in the provinces.
Following a crushing defeat in the election, the ANC must form a coalition government to govern Gauteng. – The ANC only managed to get 36.47% of the vote and needs support from either the DA or the EFF and MK Party.
The ANC Gauteng provincial executive committee last week nominated Lesufi, Tasneem Motala and Mostujo Molakane as its candidates for prime minister, in line with the ANC's call for the provincial executive committee to nominate three candidates, two of whom should be women.
Read | United State: DA, IFP agree to GNU talks with ANC, while MK, EFF reject proposal as “racist”
ANC Gauteng provincial electoral committee chairperson Lebogang Maile said provincial leaders were also keen to meet and discuss how GNU could be adopted at provincial level.
“We are having our own discussions but the deal will be the same as one or two. [adaptations] – But overall, it will be the same because we are one organization. We already have a framework, and that will guide us,” Maile said.
He added that the ANC in Gauteng would analyse the election results and explain why it failed to secure a majority.
“This is going to be a continuous process. We have to get all the information, all the studies and consider it. We can't rush it, we have to do it properly,” Maile said, adding that the studies and analysis of the results are unlikely to be made public.
