DA to bring motion on speaker
IN A DAY filled with political drama, the DA on Friday tabled a motion of no confidence against National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-nqakula.
This happened as Mapisa-nqakula, who is on special leave, denied that she had been arrested or handed herself over to the police in connection with corruption allegations probed by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Independent Investigative Directorate (ID).
Instead, Mapisa-nqakula confirmed challenging the execution of the search and seizure warrants at her home on Tuesday.
This took place against the backdrop of pressure on Mapisa-nqakula to resign amid speculation that she had been arrested, or would hand herself to the police.
Mapisa-nqakula fingered UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who earlier in the morning took to social media X, alleging she had been arrested and would appear in court.
“These reports are simply not true and a fabrication by Mr Holomisa, who simply published these untruths without caring to verify the true facts, or the harm that it does to the name of others,” her office said.
It said she was at her home with her family and that she had had no interaction with the ID since the search and seizure operation at her house on Tuesday.
The raid on her home in Gauteng is part of an investigation that she was allegedly paid R2.3 million in cash bribes by defence industry businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-ndhlovu while she was defence minister.
“We can confirm that this morning, the Speaker has filed papers in court challenging the manner in which the search and seizure warrant was obtained and the operation itself.
“She also demands full disclosure of all material information relating to the case, including the full docket in order to be able to prepare her defence against what she regards as baseless allegations against her.
On Thursday night, Mapisa-nqakula announced that she had taken special leave due to seriousness of the allegations and the extensive media speculation. She said she had informed the ANC of her decision.
She also cancelled her trip to the Inter-parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-motsiri, said they noted Mapisa-nqakula’s special leave from Parliament.
“The ANC will enforce its integrity and step-aside policies based on the facts as they arise,” Bhengu-motsiri said.
However, DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said the rules of Parliament did not make provision for “special leave” taken by a member by a unilateral decision. Special leave was only granted by a full sitting of the House through a formal motion.
“It would seem this is not the case. This special leave is nothing more than a cop-out,” she said.
Gwarube said the DA had repeatedly called for Mapisa-nqakula to resign as it was simply not fitting for her to be facing allegations of corruption and a possible imminent arrest.
“The announcement that she has taken ‘special leave’, not resigned, has left us with no choice, but to submit a formal motion of no confidence to be debated and voted on before the House rises and the expiration of this term.
It will be a second motion Mapisa-nqakula would have faced in her term since the failed one by the EFF last year.