DA mulling no confidence motion against Mapisa-Nqakula amid corruption allegations
DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said of particular concern is that there may have been undue delays on the part of authorities to act against Mapisa-Nqakula.
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it’s mulling whether to bring a motion of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, in light of reports that she’s under criminal investigation for bribery.
DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said of particular concern is that there may have been undue delays on the part of authorities to act against Mapisa-Nqakula.
The speaker is alleged to be implicated in an affidavit that forms part of a corruption case against a defence force contractor who claims Mapisa-Nqakula solicited more than R2 million in bribes during her tenure as Defence Minister.
READ: Mapisa-Nqakula vehemently denies corruption and bribery allegations against her
Mapisa-Nqakula is already feeling the heat in Parliament as Monday marks the deadline for her to explain to its ethics committee what her role has been in secretly hiking the salary of the secretary to Parliament.
Gwarube said since her appointment in 2021, there have been misgivings about Mapisa-Nqakula’s suitability for the job.
"Surely she should take the nation into her confidence and we should be able to see somebody who’s saying 'I will fall on my sword' because I can’t be the head of the legislative arm of the state and have these grave allegations hanging over my head."
Gwarube said reports of delays in the law taking its course against Mapisa-Nqakula are also deeply concerning.
"We are looking at the independence of the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] which is meant to be sacrosanct, and then we are looking at potentially the president or high-ranking leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) dabbling into the work of the law enforcement agencies."
Mapisa-Nqakula said on Monday she was innocent and would cooperate with an investigation.