ANC to discuss Mapisa-Nqakula's legal woes amid corruption claims - Mbalula
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula says the issue of Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal woes will be thrashed out within the party on Monday.
Mapisa-Nqakula is attempting to interdict her arrest in the corruption probe against her.
She is accused of receiving bribes from an army contractor during her time as the defense minister.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate conducted a search and seizure operation at her home Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The speaker's taken special leave from Parliament, the validity of which has been questioned by opposition, and committed to working together with authorities.
READ MORE: National Assembly speaker takes special leave amid corruption allegations
Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC's elections campaign even in the Eastern Cape Mbalula also remarked on reports Mapisa-Nqukula was arrested.
“The Speaker has written to me, she has also engaged with me and the President. She has taken me into confidence in terms of what is happening in as far as those issues that have been reported.
“But one of the things that are striking out of that briefing is that there is no warrant or any summons that has been served on the Speaker for her arrest, as it has widely been reported.”
He, however, says Mapisa-Nqakula would have to face party processes relating to the corruption allegations levelled against her like any other member of the ANC.
“She will face the law. As far as the party is concerned, the ANC is very clear that you step aside to face those accusations and charges that you are facing as an individual.”
At the same time, opposition parties have called for the Speaker to resign.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says since Mapisa-Nqakula has not voluntarily stepped down, they believe their hand was forced into filing a motion of no confidence against the National Assembly Speaker.
DA Chief whip in Parliament Siviwe Gwarube said they would request other political parties to support the motion.
"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,” she said.
"We will be writing to all political parties represented in Parliament to support our motion for the removal of the Speaker in terms of Section 52(4) of the Constitution."
Gwarube added the speaker’s special leave announcement is nothing more than an excuse.
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