FF Plus welcomes ruling regarding Mapisa-Nqakula

2 April 2024

The FF Plus welcomes the ruling by the High Court in Pretoria dismissing the application by the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, for an interim interdict against her arrest.

If the application had been granted, it would have undermined the criminal justice system.

The Investigative Directorate of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is busy investigating allegations that Mapisa-Nqakula profited from bribes amounting to millions during her tenure as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

Mapisa-Nqakula cannot expect special treatment because she is the Speaker of the NA. Neither she nor anyone else in South Africa is above the law.

She should be arrested as soon as possible and then apply for bail just like any other ordinary citizen.

This should serve as an example for other politicians and high-ranking officials; no-one should violate the law and think they can get away with it.

The FF Plus will support a motion of no confidence against Mapisa-Nqakula in the NA.

A speaker ought to serve as a symbol of Parliament's integrity, honesty, respect and accountability, which has now been tainted.

She can no longer serve as the NA's Speaker and should do the honourable thing by stepping down of her own accord.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 2 April 2024