The fate of KwaZulu-Natal’s education and health MECs — Sipho Hlomuka and Nomagugu Simelane — has become a political powder keg that threatens to destabilise the already fragile government of provincial unity (GPU) led by premier Thami Ntuli.
At the centre of the storm are serious graft allegations. Hlomuka is accused of meddling in the R2.9bn national school nutrition programme to benefit a company he allegedly helped establish and those linked to his close ANC comrades. Simelane faces allegations of improperly receiving a R1m loan from Ithala Bank and benefiting from duplicated payments to a company linked to her family — despite her maintaining she resigned from the firm in 2004 and has no role in its dealings.
Ntuli, who leads the province under the banner of the IFP, which secured 18% of the provincial vote in the 2024 elections, is under immense pressure. His decision on whether to act against the two ANC deployees could either reinforce his credibility or fracture the tenuous alliance underpinning the GPU.
According to Prof Musa Xulu, an independent political analyst based in KwaZulu-Natal, Ntuli’s options are severely constrained. “The KwaZulu-Natal GPU was an informally negotiated settlement between the ANC, the IFP, the DA and the NFP [National Freedom Party]. Together they are bigger than the MK Party, which received 45% of the vote. As the leader of an 18% party, premier Ntuli’s hands are tied. He cannot take meaningful action against MECs Hlomuka and Simelane without compromising the IFP’s position in the GPU,” he said.
Xulu added that the ANC was unlikely to assist Ntuli by removing or redeploying the two MECs. “For the ANC, such a move would establish an un-ANC precedent from which [the party] may struggle to recover. Historically, the ANC rarely acts against its members — especially the inner circle — based on outside pressure.”
Premier Ntuli’s hands are tied. He cannot take meaningful action against MECs Hlomuka and Simelane without compromising the IFP’s position in the GPU
— Prof Musa Xulu, political analyst
Complicating matters further, several ANC KwaZulu-Natal task team members are themselves implicated in questionable tender schemes. As one insider put it: “If they take action against the two MECs, they must also sanction people [such as] Jomo Sibiya and Thanduxolo Sabelo.”
As Ntuli deliberates, the MK Party is applying pressure on two fronts. Publicly, it has demanded the dismissal of Hlomuka and Simelane over the corruption and patronage claims, with spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela saying their “honourable” titles were undeserved. “That title is meant to uphold integrity,” Ndhlela said. “It cannot be inherited and stained through corruption.”
But, privately, the MK Party has begun covert negotiations with coalition partners — including senior ANC figures — aimed at reconfiguring the provincial government under its leadership. Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Willies Mchunu is reportedly brokering these talks, as tensions within the GPU escalate. ANC insiders accuse co-operative governance MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi of politicising his role, particularly in ANC-run municipalities, while the MK Party has positioned itself as both critic and contender.
“[The MK Party] is playing both the street and the boardroom,” said one insider. “[It is] calling for heads to roll while quietly offering alternatives.”
The MK Party’s strategy is rooted in its electoral mandate. As its head of presidency, Magasela Mzobe, put it: “The people of KwaZulu-Natal made their choice — and their choice is MK. It would be irresponsible of our leadership not to fight to defend that vote.”
ANC KwaZulu-Natal task team spokesperson Fanle Sibisi dismissed speculation about a reshuffle and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the GPU, saying: “The ANC has noted the allegations concerning its deployees. We have internal procedures to address issues that may be in the public domain. There is no issue of reshuffling that the ANC is dealing with concerning any of its deployees. The ANC remains firmly committed to the GPU.”
Behind closed doors, however, ANC leaders are reportedly divided. Some fear that defending Simelane and Hlomuka could further erode public trust, while others warn any concession to the IFP or MK Party would weaken the ANC’s internal cohesion and set a dangerous precedent.
Premier Ntuli has received written reports from both MECs regarding the allegations and has tasked the provincial legal unit with reviewing them. He has promised decisive action once the review is complete — but the political stakes are high.
The IFP, already accused of overreach in ANC municipalities, may find itself isolated if Ntuli is seen as protecting compromised officials. Meanwhile, the MK Party continues to mobilise public sentiment and quietly build alliances.
Ntuli’s next step may determine not only the future of two embattled officials, but also the survival of the GPU itself.
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