FORMER Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation has saved her from the wrath of the DA in Parliament.
This comes as DA Chief Whip, Siviwe Gwarube requested Parliament's Committee for Powers and Privileges to investigate Mapisa-Nqakula regarding Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George's salary increase.
But Mapisa-Nqakula resigned before the investigation took place.
On Wednesday, 10 April, the committee gave an update to Gwarube that it has resolved to conclude the matter.
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“The committee received legal opinion from Parliamentar's Legal Services that states that the mandate of the committee, in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 4 of 2004, extends only to MPs.
“Therefore, when a person ceases to be an MP, the committee has no jurisdiction to consider a matter related to that person,” said Committee chairwoman, Manketsi Tlhape.
She said since the former Speaker's resignation as an MP, the committee has no jurisdiction to investigate the complaint by the Chief Whip of the opposition.
But this didn't sit well with the DA's deputy Chief Whip Annelie Lotriet, who said the National Assembly decided to appoint George based on wrong and incomplete information.
“We can't simply accept the fact that the matter is now silenced because Mapisa-Nqakula has resigned,” Lotriet said.
