NFP defections continue in Nongoma ahead of local elections - IOL

Sinethemba Nxumalo, the latest councillor in Nongoma Municipality to leave the National Freedom Party.

With just 45 days to go before the 2026 local government elections, more councillors are leaving the National Freedom Party (NFP) in Nongoma Municipality following the sudden resignation of Sinethemba Nxumalo.

Nxumalo is the ninth councillor to leave the NFP in the Nongoma Local Municipality since 2021.

The NFP won 14 seats in the council following the 2021 local government elections. Its councillors began leaving the party following its 2023 elective conference.

Among those who defected is former Nongoma mayor Mshangane Ndabandaba, who is now with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).

As a result of the defections, the NFP has lost some of its wards in subsequent by-elections.

Nxumalo announced his resignation last weekend.

In a letter seen by National Media Group, Nxumalo cited internal conflicts as the reason for his resignation.

"It is with profound sadness that I inform you of my decision to immediately resign and/or terminate my membership of the National Freedom Party (NFP). I have served the organisation loyally and diligently for over many years.

"It is, however, worth noting that for several years now, the NFP has been wracked by endemic internal battles and court cases with devastating consequences on the governance of the organisation. These challenges have also created uncertainty and confusion among ordinary members, supporters and voters who have placed their trust in the organisation," said Nxumalo.

He said he cherished and appreciated the work done collectively in the NFP, but noted that the party in its current form was not the right vehicle for the vision espoused by its founder, the late Zanele kaMagwaza Msibi.

"I will not do or say anything that compromises the integrity of an organisation that I spent years in service of, however, my sincere plea is that in its reflection of the decision I have taken, the organisation should also avoid slander and mischaracterisation of an otherwise revolutionary and disciplined decision to resign from the NFP. I wish the NFP full prosperity and success and wish that all the leaders and the general membership will accept the very difficult decision I have taken. Wishing the NFP and its leaders all the best in any political future endeavours."

Nxumalo was a staunch NFP leader in Nongoma, serving as the party's former secretary-general in the area and participating in its youth structure.

He also served as the former party liaison committee representative for the NFP at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and was chairperson of the NFP in Ward 5 in Nongoma for three consecutive terms.

The NFP held leadership and mayoral control in the Nongoma Local Municipality through a coalition following the 2021 local government elections, until losing its majority in 2026.

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) won key by-elections and reclaimed outright control of Nongoma in March 2026 and now has 23 of the 45 seats. 

Meanwhile, more than 280km down from the rural municipality, eThekwini Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni ditched the NFP to launch a new political party to contest the local government elections in November.

Myeni announced the formation of the National People’s Ambassadors in Durban, which she said will contest key municipalities in northern KwaZulu-Natal and the eThekwini Metro. Her old party has approached the City to have her removed from her position as she is no longer the party's representative.