KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC and National Freedom Party (NFP) provincial chairperson Mbali Cynthia Shinga has suffered a major political and legal setback after the party's appeal body upheld her expulsion for gross insubordination and misconduct. The ruling stems from her decision to defy a party directive to support a motion of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli. The outcome could have significant implications for the province's Government of Provincial Unity, with the NFP signalling a shift in allegiance towards the MK Party and the EFF.