Speaker rejects Mkhwebane meeting over MPs bribe claim

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has declined a request for a meeting with suspended public protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Allegations emerged at the weekend that three ANC members are under investigation for allegedly soliciting a R600,000 bribe from Mkhwebane to make an inquiry looking into her fitness to hold office “go away”.

According to a statement from the speaker, Mkhwebane wrote a letter requesting to meet her confidentially to discuss the allegations and get advice on how parliament might proceed with an investigation.

Mapisa-Nqakula advised Mkhwebane to formally file a complaint with the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests on her allegations of corruption in the section 194 committee investigation into her eligibility to hold office.

The speaker said it is important that she remains impartial throughout the process.

“As the allegations concern the conduct of MPs, the appropriate course of action would be for advocate Mkhwebane to file a complaint with the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests through the office of the registrar, which is governed by the code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members’ interests for assembly and permanent council members,” the statement said.

The speaker said she gave Mkhwebane the assurance that all documents, data and evidence held by the registrar will be kept confidential. Meetings of the joint committee and subcommittees must be closed to the public until a finding is reached, to then be made public.