The FF Plus welcomes the resignation of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) and as Member of Parliament (MP).
She had no choice but to resign because in the position as Speaker she is supposed to set an example of integrity, honesty and respect to uphold Parliament’s sanctity.
Mapisa-Nqakula compromised all these aspects and became an embarrassment for Parliament. So, she had to step down.
The special investigating team of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is busy investigating allegations that Mapisa-Nqakula was bribed with “gifts” from Defence Force contractors while serving as the Minister of Defence.
She was appointed as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans in 2012 and was replaced by Thandi Modise in 2021 after several scandals, such as the Guptas’ landing at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, the misuse of an Air Force plane to transport ANC members to Harare, and the shortcomings in the Defence Force which became glaringly obvious during the unrest in 2021.
A number of whistle-blowers had already come forward in 2021, alleging that Mapisa-Nqakula had accepted millions in bribes from Defence Force contractors. It attracted extensive media coverage and she continued to deny the allegations.
The FF Plus was, for these reasons, strongly opposed to her appointment as Speaker right from the outset, and the party has now been proven right.
Mapisa-Nqakula has, however, set an example for other Members of Parliament, who find themselves in a similar situation with serious allegations levelled against them, to resign as MPs.