President Cyril Ramaphosa is calling for patience and for law enforcement authorities to be given space, in their investigations into National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s alleged corruption.
This after the Speaker took leave of absence last week, days after the Hawks, acting on behalf of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate, raided her home in Bruma, east of Johannesburg.
These following allegations that she received and solicited R2.3 million from a former military contractor, when she was a Minister of Defence and Military Veterans from 2012 until 2021.
Ramaphosa said the Speaker hasn’t been charged yet, has taken special leave and he requested that the process be allowed to unfold.
“As I’ve always said, we have processes, we have institutions, we have well-geared and independent institutions and in the end, we must rely on those institutions to do their work.
“When we give them space and the opportunity to do their work, then we will be successful.
“As far as I am concerned, the Speaker herself has said that she is cooperating. That in itself must say something to all of us,” said Ramaphosa during the party election campaign in Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Easter Cape.
He denied that government is downplaying the seriousness of the allegations, adding that the matter is being managed.
“We’re dealing here with allegations that have been made, with a Speaker who says she’s cooperating and from a governance point of view, she said I’m taking special leave, and the process must then unfold.
“It’s already known that when it reaches a particular point, certain actions need to be taken. There’s no running away from that,” explained Ramaphosa.
The president urged the nation to be patient and give relevant institutions investigating the matter space.
“The matter is being handled, let’s give the institutions that are handling this matter the space to handle this matter.
“I am certain that the rule of law and processes of handling things like these in our country will prevail, so let’s allow that to happen,” added Ramaphosa.
Meanwhile, parliament has sought to assure the nation that the work of the National Assembly remains unaffected, during the Speaker’s leave of absence.
According to parliament, the Rules of the National Assembly, 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. The Speaker has also formally notified the Deputy Speaker of her decision to take leave.
“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,” said parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo.
Mothapo said the Speaker is entitled to the special leave, following criticism by opposition parties that ‘special leave is only granted by a full sitting of the House.’
“The Speaker’s leave of absence is provided for in the Rules of the Assembly, which state that if a member’s absence extends beyond 15 consecutive sittings of the House, a motion explaining the reason and duration of the absence must be introduced.
“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,” highlighted Mothapo.