Daily News 2026-01-09

The recent withdrawal of the National Freedom Party (NFP) from the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) marks a significant turning point in the political landscape of KwaZulu-Natal. This unexpected shift could unsettle the existing balance of power among the coalition parties, fundamentally altering the governance dynamics in the province. The coalition, which previously included the NFP alongside the IFP, the ANC, and the DA, had consolidated a slim majority with 41 out of 80 seats in the legislature. Political analysts, such as Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, have noted the NFP’s critical role in the stability of this coalition, emphasising its capacity to influence legislative outcomes. Prof. Mngomezulu stated, “The NFP’s presence was vital in providing the necessary majority, holding 50 per cent plus one vote.” However, with the NFP’s departure and…

The NFP called a special meeting last night to discuss the political overtures from its partners in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) following the party’s decision to withdraw from it. After the party announced its formal withdrawal on Wednesday and ordered its sole legislature member Mbali Shinga to tender her resignation, the party’s GPU partners (the ANC, DA and IFP) called on the NFP leadership to reconsider its decision. In a statement from the ANC in the province, it said it had noted the NFP’s withdrawal announcement and called for a bilateral meeting with the party’s leadership to engage on matters of governance. The ANC warned of wider implications of the NFP’s withdrawal beyond the GPU. “The ANC respects the fact that the NFP has a right to make…

Hysterical cries swept through Bester, Area 10, in Inanda, when the bodies of five suspects were carried from the house they were shot and killed in and placed into the forensic pathology services vehicle. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said five suspects wanted in connection with murder, attempted murder and robbery, were shot and killed in a shootout with police in the early hours of yesterday. “When police arrived at the scene, the suspects fired through the door. Police returned fire. Five suspects were fatally wounded,” Netshiunda said. Community members said that not all suspects were involved in crime and that some were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Sihle Ntombela, whose 40-something uncle, Siyabonga Carlos Ntombela, was one of those killed, said Carlos left home on…

As the 2026 academic year approaches, the National Teachers’ Union (Natu) has expressed serious concern about the readiness of schools across KwaZulu-Natal’s 12 districts, with thousands of pupils at risk of starting the year without essential resources. A statement by the union’s general secretary highlighted that many schools nationwide had yet to receive basic stationery and textbooks, while provincial budget constraints severely undermined educational efficacy. The union reported that most schools in KZN’s 12 districts had not received the necessary materials for the current academic year. Some districts have had no supplies, although a handful of schools had managed to secure limited resources. The challenges are compounded for Section 21 schools with Function C status, where procurement processes are reportedly blocked. Natu’s statement mirrored frustrations observed last year, attributing them…

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria has set aside the controversial contract with French tech firm IDEMIA for the printing of the country’s driving licences and ordered the Department of Transport to re-advertise the tender within 30 days. Pending the appointment of a successful service provider under the re-advertised tender, the department has also been allowed by the court to outsource the services of printing and issuing of driving licence (cards) to the Department of Home Affairs. The department announced in September last year that it had appointed biometric security company, IDEMIA, as the preferred bidder for a tender to print new driving licence smart cards. IDEMIA is a French multinational technology firm that provides biometric identification and security services. The tender has been advertised and withdrawn repeatedly in recent years.…

Mop-up operations are under way in Mossel Bay after a fire stop was called in the early hours of yesterday. The fire has raged in the municipality since Monday afternoon, and fire crews remain on scene after having tended to the inferno following a flare-up on Wednesday morning. Yesterday morning, the Mossel Bay Municipality said the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), co-ordinating the collaborative firefighting effort which started on January 5, held its first briefing for the day at 7am. The municipality confirmed a fire stop was called yesterday. Members of the Garden Route District Municipality fire crew were busy with mop-up operations in Klipheuwel Street, which was one of the big challenges during yesterday’s operations. “The implementation of aerial firefighting has proved invaluable during the past two days as fire…