Parliament to take no action against former speaker
A parliamentary committee says it does not have the jurisdiction to investigate a complaint by the DA against former speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
DA chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, laid a formal complaint on 6 March in the lead-up to Mapisa-Nqakula’s subsequent arrest and court appearance last week on 12 charges of fraud and one of money laundering.
Gwarube called for a “swift, impartial, and comprehensive” investigation into the allegations concerning the salary increase to Secretary of Parliament, Xolile George.
On Wednesday, the Powers and Privileges Committee said since Mapisa-Nqakula had resigned from her position as speaker and Member of Parliament, it no longer had jurisdiction to consider the matter.
Chairperson Manketsi Tlhape said their powers, according to legal opinion, extend only to MPs.
“Therefore, when a person ceases to be a Member of Parliament, the committee has no jurisdiction to consider a matter related to that person.
“Due to the fact that the former speaker resigned as a Member of Parliament, the committee has no jurisdiction to investigate the complaint by the chief whip of the opposition,” Tlhape said.
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