The election of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as the new Speaker in the National Assembly (NA) does not come as a surprise to the FF Plus. The ANC holds a majority in the NA and it was to be expected that the ruling party would support her as its candidate.
A comment made by Mr Bheki Cele (Minister of Police) during the voting process – that Mapisa-Nqakula really had no choice but to make herself available for the position – offers some valuable insight into her election as Speaker.
The FF Plus is also of the opinion that she indeed did not have a choice. She is the candidate of a specific faction in the ANC and it once again goes to show that the ruling party is acting in its own interests instead of in the best interests of South Africa.
The FF Plus is entirely opposed to Mapisa-Nqakula's election for a number of reasons.
Her statement that she will, with the cooperation of the other Members of Parliament, protect the integrity of the NA is ironic. She is already shrouded in controversy and has, among other things, abused her position as Minister of Defence to take members of the ANC's executive authority on a trip to Zimbabwe using taxpayers' money.
In addition to that, there are serious allegations of corruption against Mapisa-Nqakula that will soon be investigated and it could be anticipated that all related details that appear in the media will reflect negatively on her position as Speaker and on Parliament in general.
The public is justified in asking how Members of Parliament could elect such a controversial figure as Speaker while being fully aware of the allegations against her.
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