ANC to apply step-aside policy following Mapisa-Nqakula’s leave
The ANC has announced plans to apply a step-aside policy amid growing pressure in the investigation into Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Documents found in the house of Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, during a raid at her home in Johannesburg on Tuesday have led to the decision to charge her. The ANC says it will enforce its integrity and step aside policies based on the facts as they arise.
TimesLive reported that the ‘Home renovation’ documents were found during a raid by the Investigative Directorate (ID). On Thursday, Mapisa-Nqakula announced that she would take special leave from Parliament, effective immediately.
ANC: STEP ASIDE POLICY ENFORCED BASED ON FACTS
ANC NOTES COMRADE NOSIVIWE MAPISA-NQAKULA'S SPECIAL LEAVE FROM PARLIAMENT
— African National Congress (@MYANC) March 22, 2024
The African National Congress (ANC) notes Comrade Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's special leave from Parliament due
to law enforcement actions and allegations against her.
The ANC will enforce its integrity and… pic.twitter.com/FgM4pHuOHy
“The African National Congress (ANC) said it noted Mapisa-Nqakula’s special leave from Parliament due to law enforcement actions and allegations against her. The ANC will enforce its integrity and step aside policies based on the facts as they arise,” the ruling party said.
The Mail & Guardian (M&G) reported that Mapisa-Nqakula was expected to be arrested on Friday on corruption and money laundering charges involving roughly R4 million. Her lawyer, Stephen May, said she would hand herself over to the police in due course.
DA WELCOMES ‘IMMINENT ARREST’ OF SPEAKER
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it welcomed the reports of the Speaker’s imminent arrest.
“We welcome that law enforcement agencies like the NPA and Hawks are starting to act without fear or favour and that an individual’s political status does not shield them from accountability,” said the DA.
“We call on these agencies to move speedily on both the matters of Mapisa-Nqakula and the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile,” it also said.
‘THE ARREST REINFORCES OUR CALL TO STEP DOWN,’ SAYS DA
The DA said Mapisa-Nqakula’s possible arrest reinforced its call for the Speaker to step down immediately.
“We are now looking at the Leader of the Legislative Arm of State not only accused but possibly arrested and charged for corruption,” the official opposition party said.