High Court Dismisses Mbali Shinga’s Appeal Bid, Clearing Way for Ivan Barnes to Take KZN Legislature Seat
The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dealt a final legal blow to embattled politician Mbali Shinga by dismissing her application for leave to appeal her expulsion from the National Freedom Party (NFP).
The landmark ruling officially clears all remaining legal hurdles, leaving no further obstacles to prevent NFP President Ivan Barnes from being sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL).
The NFP welcomed the ruling, with Secretary-General Sunset Xaba noting the court found Shinga’s application lacked merit and served only to delay prior orders, while also ordering her to pay legal costs.
The conflict stems from an internal disciplinary process where Shinga—the former KZN MEC for Social Development—was found guilty of gross insubordination.
She had defied party directives in December 2025 by refusing to back an MKP motion of no confidence against KZN Premier Thami Ntuli, choosing instead to support the Government of Provincial Unity.
With Shinga’s legal delays invalidated, the NFP praised the judgment as an affirmation of the rule of law. KZN Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce is now expected to proceed with swearing in Ivan Barnes.
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