Tsenoli in hot water over Speaker motion
ANC bigwigs take deputy to task over agreeing to hold a noconfidence motion called for by the DA
Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Lechesa Tsenoli was taken to task this week by top ANC leaders for approving a DA motion against his boss without consulting them.
The Sunday Times this week learnt that Tsenoli, currently the acting speaker, was asked by the ANC’s political committee in parliament on Tuesday evening to explain why he allowed the tabling of a motion of noconfidence against speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
It is understood that several members of the ANC political committee were unhappy that Tsenoli endorsed the motion without consultation.
Mapisa-Nqakula is on “special leave” after reports that she faces arrest by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigative Directorate (ID) for allegedly soliciting bribes of more than R2.4m while serving as defence minister. She is seeking an order in the high court to interdict the ID from arresting her.
The ANC’s political committee in parliament is a powerful structure that gives strategic direction to its parliamentary caucus. With its meeting chaired by deputy president Paul Mashatile, it comprises top ANC leaders in parliament, including all its presiding officers and ministers such as Gwede Mantashe, Thoko Didiza, Thandi Modise and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube tabled the motion of no-confidence in Mapisa-Nqakula last week after a Sunday Times exposé about the bribery allegations against her. This week, Tsenoli in his capacity as acting speaker, informed Gwarube that he has provisionally approved her motion against his boss.
Gwarube wants the motion to be debated and voted on by parliament on an urgent basis and has called for a special sitting during the lengthy recess due to end on May 21.
Asked for comment, Tsenoli said: “I have no mandate to comment on the discussion of that internal structure.” He referred the Sunday Times to the deputy president.
Mashatile’s spokesperson, Keith Khoza, confirmed the meeting was also attended by Mapisa-Nqakula: “The political committee met and a report was given by both the speaker and the deputy speaker on the latest developments around the allegations facing the speaker. The meeting then decided that the matter must be taken to parliament for finalisation,” he said.
Another source said the ANC leadership would not support the DA’s motion and that they had apparently rebuked Tsenoli for accepting the motion before even canvassing with them.
A source who asked to remain anonymous as their meetings are confidential said: “His interpretation is that he’s the one who was meant to deal with it but our interpretation was that the matter should have been dealt with first by the political committee.”
Tsenoli said he approved the DA motion on the advice of parliamentary officials and in consultation with ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina.
“I took the decision based on parliamentary officials’ assessment of the motion. The rules require us to consult the chief whip, which is contained in the letter to honourable Gwarube who made the letter public. When this process of consultation is complete, we will communicate.”
Majodina, who according to sources, had excused herself from the meeting that took place at 8.30pm on Tuesday, has declined to comment.
It has also been learnt that Mapisa-Nqakula had a meeting with the top seven leaders of the ANC on Monday, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mashatile and secretarygeneral Fikile Mbalula.
Parliament is under pressure to debate Gwarube’s motion before the expiry of its term on May 21, ahead of the general elections on May 29. The national legislature is facing similar pressure to conclude two parallel probes by its parliamentary committees against Mapisa-Nqakula.
The first relates to the probe by the National Assembly’s powers and privileges committee into the alleged salary increase of secretary to parliament Xolile George. The second investigation pertains to a complaint by the DA that she had taken bribes from a contractor during her tenure as defence and military veterans minister.
Almost all the 14 political parties represented in parliament have called for the speaker to resign.
Mapisa-Nqakula has consistently maintained her innocence in the bribery claims against her and has argued in court that the prosecuting authority was violating her rights to dignity and privacy.
The high court has reserved judgment in the case in which she is seeking an arrest interdict.