DA says investigation into Mapisa-Nqakula should continue despite her resignation
While the party argued that the former speaker had a case to answer to for hiking Parliament's secretary's salary by nearly 70%, the powers and privileges committee resolved to put the matter to rest since Mapisa-Nqakula was no longer an MP.
FILE: National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) says an investigation into former speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula should continue despite her resignation.
The party said it welcomed the recommendation made to the powers and privileges committee that Mapisa-Nqakula has a prima facie case to answer for hiking the salary of Secretary to Parliament Xolile George by nearly 70%.
But on Wednesday, the committee resolved to “put the matter to rest”, since Mapisa-Nqakula was no longer a Member of Parliament (MP) following her resignation.
But DA MP Dr Annelie Lotriet said the matter was still unresolved, and there were prima facie grounds that it was misled by Mapisa-Nqakula.
"We can’t just accept that the matter is now moot. The mischief that was caused is still there, and it has to be cleared."
But chairperson Dr Manketsi Tlhape ruled that the matter should be laid to rest.
"The affected member has resigned as speaker and a member of Parliament and hence we are agreeing to rest this matter. We don’t have jurisdiction."
The DA said the fact that Mapisa-Nqakula resigned before she could be held accountable neither absolved her, nor by extension the executive authority of Parliament.