Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation dismissed as cynical

Political analyst, Goodenough Mashego, says Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation was well-calculated and cynical.

He says the former National Assembly Speaker was not going to return to Parliament either way and wanted to secure her pension.

The embattled former Defence Minister announced her resignation on Wednesday, a day after the High Court in Pretoria dismissed her urgent bid to block her arrest.

The politician handed herself over to the authorities yesterday and was released on R50 000 bail after appearing before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

She faces at least 12 bribery charges to the tune of R4.5 million and one corruption count.

The 67-year-old top ANC official is said to have committed her crimes during her tenure as the Defence Minister.

The startling bribery scandal has thrusted the ANC into a tight corner, especially with the general elections fast approaching.

Various quarters of society have bemoaned the level of corruption engulfing the governing party.

Mashego says the ANC has a lot of work to do to make sure that public perception does not become a reality.

“Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation does not move much about the perception of corruption in the ANC, because perception of corruption within the ANC and its members is documented in things like the Zondo commission, and many media reports about corruption that go unreported or prosecuted,” he says.

“Its lack of prosecution gives weight to the perception of corruption in the ANC, and to say the ANC does not discipline its members who are found wanting, instead it chooses to redeploy them to other positions.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended Mapisa-Nqakula for the decision to resign, saying her level of integrity must be recognised.

Spoke to the media on the recent developments relating to former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. pic.twitter.com/JSN6CwxoID

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 4, 2024

Labour federation, Cosatu, believes the country’s former senior lawmaker did the right thing.

Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says her decision will spare Parliament, the ANC and the nation the spectacle of having the Speaker of the National Legislature hauled to the court over serious allegations.

“It is the right decision to do, not only for the ANC in Parliament but herself, to enable her to focus on her legal preparations.”

Opposition parties have also welcomed Mapisa-Nqakula’s departure, saying it’s a victory for accountability and the National Legislature.

The DA says Parliament can no longer be a refuge for the worst in society.

“Those entrusted to lead and represent South Africa must be up to the task.”

The official opposition says it will be writing to the secretary of Parliament, Colile George, calling for a new Speaker to be elected soon.

The EFF says swift action must be taken to investigate and prosecute the former Defence Minister who is alleged to have solicited bribes from a contractor between 2017 and 2019.

The red berets say the severity of the allegations levelled against her is evident that what the ANC considers the best among its ranks is the worst for the nation.

EFF Statement Welcoming The Resignation Of Former Speaker Of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

-The EFF reiterates that Mapisa-Nqakula must be arrested and considers her resignation as just one step towards restoring accountability and transparency in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/cHmcbfmmcc

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) April 3, 2024

UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa, maintains that Mapisa-Nqakula should have presented herself to police from day one and not waste time.

“Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula should have should have presented herself to the police from Day 1 and not wasted everyone’s time.” says Bantu Holomisa, UDM President pic.twitter.com/iB0DPQUFqt

— UDM (@UDmRevolution) April 4, 2024

Mapisa-Nqakula was released on bail under strict conditions and will return to court in June.