IT will be business as usual in parliament despite Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s leave of absence.
Mapisa-Nqakula took leave following the raid at her home in connection with the R2,3 million tjotjo.
Parliament spokesman Moloto Mothapo said the National Assembly (NA) remained committed to fulfilling its constitutional obligations and programme.
“Following the decision by Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to take leave of absence from her duties to attend to matters related to the investigation into alleged corruption pertaining to her role while a cabinet member, parliament reassures the public that the work of the National Assembly remains unaffected,” he said.
He said according to the rules of the NA, specifically rule 24, in the event of the Speaker's absence, inability to perform her duties or vacancy in the office, the Deputy Speaker is required to assume the role of acting Speaker.
“In light of this, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, will serve as the acting speaker during the speaker's leave. He will assume all functions, powers, and responsibilities vested in the Speaker,” said Mothapo.
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He pointed out that Mapisa-Nqakula has also formally notified the Tsenoli of her decision to take leave.
Mothapo said: “In her communication, she has requested that he, in his capacity as acting Speaker, formally inform the House of this development at its next sitting.”
Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of taking bribes totalling R2,3 million.
They were allegedly paid in cash during her tenure as Minister of Defence.
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 during military operations.
According to Mothapo, the Rules of the Assembly allow for the Speaker to take a leave of absence. If a member of the Assembly is absent for more than 15 consecutive sittings of the House, a motion must be introduced to explain the reason and duration of the absence.
“Considering that the National Assembly has only three plenary sittings remaining before it adjourns at the end of March for the national and provincial elections on 29 May, the formal motion process will not be required in this instance,” he said.
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