In wake of NPA raid on her home, pressure mounts on Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula to step down

CAPE TOWN - Pressure is mounting on National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to step down following Tuesday’s raid on her Johannesburg home in connection with corruption allegations. 

Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said the seriousness of the allegations raised significant doubt about her ability to fulfill the role and to uphold the integrity of the institution.

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 The DA and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have both lodged ethics complaints against Mapisa-Nqakula and although the committee dealing with the matter met, as is customary, behind closed doors on Monday, it’s unlikely there will be swift action on the matter. 

"Contrary to what the Speaker had indicated about not being aware of said investigation, it’s now clear there’s evidence of some kind of wrongdoing and that these allegations have taken root and that there is now enough evidence for the NPA to conduct a raid." 

Gwarube said the Speaker should do the right thing by stepping down and allow the ethics committee to handle the matter. 

"Even the rules of Parliament indicate that the person who is the Speaker needs to be somebody who upholds the decorum and the dignity and also make sure that the institution is not eroded in terms of public trust."