By: Natasha Archary

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is backing the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) call for a Motion of No Confidence against Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
This after the DA put forward the request to Acting Speaker of Parliament Mr Lechesa Tsenoli on Tuesday, 26 March following damning bribery and money laundering allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 corruption charges and one for money laundering following developments in the investigation into allegations that the Speaker accepted R2.3 million in bribes.
The alleged transgressions reportedly took place between November 2016 and July 2019.
Amongst the allegations Mapisa-Nqakula faces, is the 70% salary increase that she now needs to explain authorizing for Parliament’s Secretary, Xolile George.
George’s annual salary increased from R2.6 million to R4.4 million in less than a year, which meant he earned more than President Cyril Ramaphosa following his appointment in June 2022.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has since faced mounting pressure to resign or face Parliament’s impeachment process.
Following the DA’s call for a Motion of No Confidence in Mapisa-Nqakula, the EFF has backed the DA and called for her to be replaced entirely.
“The accusations against Mapisa-Nqakula involve the receipt of over R2.3 million in tender bribes from a contractor to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) during her tenure as Defence Minister.
The investigation shows she was brazen as to make cash demands for delivery and the company, Umkhombe Marine, secured tenders worth R210 million in return.
The EFF however, is not surprised by the current turn of events and we have been consistent that Mapisa-Nqakula is not fit to be the Speaker of Parliament.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s conduct including setting violent Parliament security on peaceful EFF MP protesters, instructing male bouncers to assault and sexually assault female MPs, as well as her suspensions of EFF members for seeking accountability about Phala Phala, highlights the rot within the ANC and its delegitimisation of Parliament.”
The EFF says President Cyril Ramaphosa has persistently avoided being held accountable for the illicit holding of cash and has employed every available institution to obfuscate his actions, and this includes using Mapisa-Nqakula as a shield from accountability.
On Monday, 25 March the Speaker of Parliament launched her bid to have her interdict application presented before the court.
The EFF’s Statement Supporting Motion of No Confidence Against Parliament Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 26, 2024
-President Ramaphosa has persistently avoided being held accountable for the illicit holding of cash and has employed every available institution to obfuscate his actions, and this… pic.twitter.com/PlQkYZh6Cm
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