The law should crack down on rogue politicians, say opposition leaders
The latest calls follow the high-profile arrest of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
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JOHANNESBURG - Parties on the opposition benches believe the law should have no mercy on political leaders who have turned rogue.
The latest calls follow the high-profile arrest of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
She faces charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering after it emerged that she allegedly received over R4 million in kickbacks from a defence contractor back when she was the Defence Minister.
A day before her arrest, Mapisa-Nqakula resigned from her top job at the National Assembly.
READ: Prosecution in Mapisa-Nqakula case says it's closing in on a second suspect
The signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct ahead of the May 29 polls turned into a crash course about ethics in public office.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event on Thursday, party leaders criticised Mapisa-Nqakula for bringing the high office into disrepute.
“We will never compromise; we won’t mince our words. If Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is found guilty when ACC [Alliance of Citizens for Change] comes in – I’m sorry I love you – but we will send you to jail for life," said ACC leader Masizole Mnqasela.
The Economic Freedom Fighters' Omphile Maotwe says the African National Congress (ANC) must also shoulder some of the blame.
“When you’re a political party you deploy the best of the best. So those that the ANC deems the best – is actually the worst of your country.”
Parties have also called for the new administration to clean up Parliament’s public image.