THE EFF has called for the immediate removal of National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula following allegations of corruption.
On Monday, 4 March, the opposition party said it wants to see her being prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
EFF spokesman Sinawo Thambo said the party was “appalled” by the damning reports implicating Mapisa-Nqakula in a cash bribery scandal amounting to over R2,3 million.
“Such revelations strike at the core of our democratic principles, and we demand her immediate removal from office pending the conclusive outcomes of these investigations,” he said.
Thambo said that such blatant disregard for ethical conduct and the rule of law cannot be tolerated.
He claimed the revelations also served as an indictment of the deep corruption that has corroded the sixth Parliament, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and the whole ANC caucus.
“This rot within the ruling party has become entrenched, with its members shamelessly exploiting their majority to perpetuate their corrupt practices," said Thambo.
“It's inconceivable that such flagrant abuse of power could occur without the knowledge or complicity of those in leadership positions and President Ramaphosa's feigned ignorance only highlights his general incompetence and inability to govern effectively.”
The Sunday Times reported that Mapisa-Nqakula was named in an affidavit submitted to the Investigative Directorate (ID) by the owner of Umkhombe Marine, Nombasa Ntsodwa-Ndlovu, a company responsible for transporting SANDF cargo for military missions.
But the former minister has since denied that she was involved in any corrupt activities.
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“The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, categorically denies any involvement in alleged corrupt activities pertaining to her tenure as the minister of defence and military veterans. She expressed deep concern about the allegations, including a purported affidavit by one of the department's former service providers, all of which she only learnt about through the Sunday Times,” said Mapisa-Nqakula’s adviser, Mike Ramagoma.
The bribery allegedly happened while she was defence minister.
Thambo said the fact that the ID has been probing these allegations for six months highlights the seriousness of the situation.
“However, the apparent secrecy surrounding the investigation raises concerns about transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies when it comes to those in positions of power,” he said.
He claimed that Mapisa-Nqakula used security forces against opposition party members and misapplied the rules to protect Ramaphosa against the voices that called for accountability on Phala Phala.
He said the EFF Parliamentary caucus will also report the Speaker to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee so that she is held accountable for her allegedly taking bribes.
“We will closely monitor the work of the Ethics Committee in this regard because the ruling party has been using it as an instrument to fight political battles,” said Thambo.
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