Kaya 959 Reporter
National Assembly speaker and former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says she will not take responsibility for the fire that went ablaze in Parliament.
“I have not dropped the ball and I am not responsible for what happened,” said Mapisa-Nqakula when she was questioned about the lack of security in parliament.
Also Read: Parliament fire contained, but further damage caused
Speaking to SABC News, she said when things like this happen you need to do an analysis of what caused the problem before speculating, even when you have strong views of what happened.
Mapisa-Nqakula responding to a question about whether this fire can be connected to the July violence. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/3gg7G6SeJ5
— Abra Barbier (@BarbierAbra) January 3, 2022
She further said this was an attack on South Africa’s democracy.
“Whatever happens to Parliament, is an attack on our democracy. This is a house where policy and oversight over the executive happens. “If police report shows there was a deliberate attack, we have to accept someone is threatening democracy,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.
Also Read: 49-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the Parliament fire
Mapisa-Nqakula said parliament was a national key point and its security was the responsibility of both its own officials and the police.
“The implication of what you are saying is that I must take responsibility because I dropped the ball. I am here for two and a half months to three months … and up until now, there is nothing that suggests there was dropping of the ball by parliament.”
It’s still not clear to say what has been destroyed and what has been salvaged. Mapisa-Nqakula says she is not as optimistic as she was previously. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/6b36z6JqKq
— Abra Barbier (@BarbierAbra) January 3, 2022
Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed that the National House’s security cameras were also working at the time of the fire.



