National Assembly to debate motion of no confidence in Mapisa-Nqakula
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli has agreed to the DA's request for a motion of no confidence to be debated against Mapisa-Nqakula, saying the allegations of improper conduct meet the rules of the house and the Constitution.
FILE: Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s woes are growing.
Her deputy, Lechesa Tsenoli, has agreed to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) request for a motion of no confidence to be debated against her.
Tsenoli said the DA’s request for a motion on allegations of improper conduct meets the rules of the National Assembly and the Constitution.
But a date will only be decided upon following consultations with the African National Congress (ANC)’s chief whip.
A year ago, Mapisa-Nqakula faced her first motion of no confidence in the house brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters under very different circumstances.
At the start of Tuesday morning’s plenary session, Tsenoli also read out a letter from Mapisa-Nqakula to the house, officially informing them of her decision to take special leave.
She said her decision would protect the integrity of the house while she faces corruption allegations and a possible arrest next week.
“I’m aware of the implication such an investigation may have on me, my work and the office I occupy. It’s for this reason, after serious consideration, that I felt it necessary that I should take should special leave of absence to protect the integrity and functioning of the institution of Parliament.”
On Monday, Mapisa-Nqakula made an urgent application to the Gauteng High Court to avoid being arrested and to appear in court on a summons instead.