DA welcomes Motion of No Confidence in Mapisa-Nqakula

Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Siviwe Gwarube MP.

The DA has received confirmation from the Acting Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli that the Motion of no Confidence in the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been granted.

The motion will now be considered by the House in due course. The rules of the National Assembly are clear. The motion to remove a Speaker or the Deputy Speaker must be considered urgently. Considering that this Parliament remains competent until May, there is no reason why a special sitting of Parliament should not be called as early as next week to consider this important motion.

I have written to all parties represented in Parliament, including the ANC to request their support for this motion. Mapisa-Nqakula’s refusal to resign amidst this corruption scandal leaves us no choice but to bring this motion. As MPs who uphold the values of accountability, this should not be a difficult decision to make.

Mapisa-Nqakula is no longer suited to hold this important position of leading the national assembly. We are the very institution that ought to hold the executive to account; we cannot be found wanting when the Speaker is the one facing corruption allegations.

Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and money laundering allegations from her time as the Minister of Defence. The allegations, the raid that took place in her home and the possible imminent arrest that she’s evading all point to someone who is no longer suited for this role.

Parliament and the parties represented there should do the right thing; support this motion and show South Africans that this Parliament will not be a refuge for some of the worst among us.