Beleaguered Mapisa-Nqakula resigns as speaker, MP
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Wednesday resigned as National Assembly Speaker and Member of Parliament, effective immediately.
Mapisa-Nqakula is embroiled in a legal bid to stop her arrest after she was fingered by a witness – for allegedly pocketing bribes worth more than R2 million from a prominent army contractor.
In her letter to the acting speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli- she says the seriousness of the much-publicised corruption allegations against her dictates that she steps away from her position as speaker to preserve the Parliament’s integrity.
“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,” she said in a statement.
She, however, the move is no way an admission of guilt to the claims against her.
“I believe in the right time I will have the opportunity to address these allegations as and when they have been formerly brought against me in the appropriate forums, at which time I will clear my good name.”
Mapisa-Nqakula also says she informed the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) of her decision and thanked her organisation for the opportunity to serve.
In a statement, the ANC confirmed that the organisation’s secretary-general Fikile Mbalula had received the speaker's resignation.
“In her resignation, Comrade Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula highlighted her intention to protect the reputation of our organisation, the African National Congress, after dedicating more than 30 years of service.
“We value her commitment to maintaining the image of our organisation, as it reflects our principles of organisational renewal that promote proactive responsibility-taking among members, rather than waiting for instructions to step aside,” the party said.
The ANC’s step-aside rule directs party members charged with serious crimes, such as corruption, to voluntarily step away from public office and party activities or face suspension.
Former secretary-general Ace Magashule was booted out of the party after trying to challenge his suspension through the step-aside rule.
DA MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE NOW MOOT
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed news of the speaker’s resignation.
“While we are unable to move the Motion of no Confidence against her anymore or pursue the case against her in the Ethics Committee, we do believe that law enforcement agencies must now move with speed to conclude the matter,” noted DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube.
The party says it will seek advice on the complaint that it laid before the Powers and Privileges Committee against Mapisa-Nqakula and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo for allegedly misleading Parliament about Parliament Secretary Xolile George’s salary, which has been reported to exceed the expected R2.6 million at an estimated R4 million.
Gwarube described the resignation as a victory for accountability.
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