{
  "id": 12095564,
  "title": "NFP rejects claims it deliberately excluded South Coast candidates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/nfp-rejects-claims-it-deliberately-excluded-south-coast-candidates",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T06:56:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/dailynews/news/2026-10-05-nfp-rejects-claims-it-deliberately-excluded-south-coast-candidates/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Freedom Party (NFP) has denied allegations that it deliberately excluded candidates from South Coast areas in KwaZulu-Natal to target political rivals. Chairperson Mbali Shinga accused the party of excluding certain wards in uMzumbe and uMuziwabantu local municipalities, claiming it was a deliberate act of political exclusion. However, the party dismissed these claims, stating that Ward 2, 6, 14, 17 and 18 of uMzumbe had not complied with the national Candidate Selection Protocol and that certain individuals had been registered elsewhere, contradicting the claim of valid nominations in uMzumbe. The NFP also pointed out that Ray Nkonyeni candidates were duly included. Political analyst Thabani Khumalo suggested that the internal conflicts and divisions within the party following the death of its founder could lead to the party's eventual decline.",
  "summary": "The National Freedom Party says candidates were excluded after failing to meet its selection rules, while expelled KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Mbali Shinga alleges the move was politically motivated.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}