The Democratic Alliance (DA) says they are deeply concerned about the integrity and the ethical conduct of the new Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Mapisa-Nqakula, nominated by the African National Congress (ANC), received two-thirds of the votes during the election of the Speaker for the South African National Assembly.
Member of Parliament Ms Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi-Ngubane casting her vote for the new Speaker of the National Assembly. #ElectionofSpeaker pic.twitter.com/i6IyaclHor
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) August 19, 2021
Voting was conducted via secret ballot on Thursday. The only other candidate was the DA’s Dr Annelie Lotriet.
Some opposition political parties criticised her nomination – saying she faces serious corruption allegations.
The DA’s Chief Whip, Natasha Mazzone says she foresees chaos in Parliament.
“We as members of Parliament should be extremely concerned about the integrity and the ethical conduct of the Speaker of Parliament. She also heads the disciplinary process of Parliament. She herself is going to go through the disciplinary inquiry in our very Parliament and if she does that, she will have to be suspended or take special leave at that time. So it is just beyond comprehension to think that today she has won,” says Mazzone.
Meanwhile, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) says it will fully support the newly elected National Assembly Speaker.
The ANC caucus had nominated Mapisa-Nqakula in the face of strong criticism from some opposition parties who said the former Defence Minister was facing serious corruption claims.
IFP Chief Whip Narend Singh says he expects Mapisa-Nqakula to keep to the commitment that she made of working with all political parties in the House.
“Although the IFP made its intentions known that we were not comfortable with the person of Mapisa Nqakula to have been nominated, we respect the fact that the House has spoken as there has been a result. The IPF pledges its full support to the Speaker and to that office and we would expect that the Speaker would reciprocate by respecting all political parties big or small,” says Singh .
VIDEO: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula elected new National Assembly speaker
Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been elected as the new Speaker of the National Assembly in South Africa.
The vacancy occurred following the recent appointment of former Speaker Thandi Modise to cabinet as new Defence Minister.
Newly-elected National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula gives an acceptance speech
