Opposition parties welcome Parly Speaker’s resignation
OPPOSITION parties have welcomed the resignation of embattled National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Accused of accepting bribes of up to R2.3 million from an SANDF contractor while she was defence minister between 2012 and 2019, Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home was raided two weeks ago.
The DA’s chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, said Mapisa-Nqakula was not suited to the position.
“We have long called for this resignation when allegations of corruption and money laundering were levelled against her,” said Gwarube.
Last week, the DA tabled a motion of no confidence against Mapisa-Nqakula, and had until Tuesday been demanding that Acting Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli schedule a vote to remove Mapisa-Nqakula.
The IFP also welcomed Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation, saying it was a responsible decision by the former Speaker, which would allow her to focus on her legal matters.
“The IFP maintains that the law must apply without any fear or favour, and we implore the former Speaker to subject herself to the legal processes until their legal and logical conclusion,” said party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
Last week, Mapisa-Nqakula had gone to the high court in Pretoria to block national director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi, Police Minister Bheki Cele and investigators from arresting her for the alleged graft.
On Tuesday her urgent application was struck from the roll.
According to prosecutors, Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly solicited R2.3m in bribes and gratifications from a fraud-accused businesswoman who reportedly received R210m in defence contracts.
Late yesterday, Mapisa-Nqakula said she had decided to quit to allow all legal processes to unfold.
She said her resignation was not an admission of guilt.
Mapisa-Nqakula submitted her resignation letter to Acting Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli yesterday.
“My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against me. I have made this decision to uphold the integrity and sanctity of our Parliament, an apex institution of our system of government, representing the people of South Africa as a whole,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
“Given the seriousness of the much-publicised allegations against me, I cannot continue in this role. As a country’s chief lawmaker, I hold a central responsibility to protect and preserve the integrity of Parliament,” she said in her letter to the acting speaker.
Mapisa-Nqakula served in the defence ministry until 2021, when she was appointed Speaker.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa first raised the alarm in 2019 when he asked the joint standing committee on defence to investigate allegations of corruption against Mapisa-Nqakula.