THE IMMEDIATE ARREST OF SPEAKER NOSIVIWE MAPISA-NQAKULA
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) demands the immediate arrest of National
Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula after her failed attempt to evade justice
through an urgent court application to block her arrest for corruption allegations.
The recent ruling by Gauteng High Court Judge Sulet Potterill, striking down Mapisa-
Nqakula’s application, is a resounding victory for accountability and the rule of law.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s audacious manoeuvre to avoid facing the consequences of her
alleged corrupt actions is an affront to the principles of justice and integrity. By seeking
to circumvent the legal process she has shown blatant disregard for the gravity of the
charges against her, of the receipt over R4.5 million in bribes while she was the Minister of Defence, and the imperative of upholding public trust and confidence in our institutions.
The EFF insists that no individual, regardless of their position or perceived importance,
should be above the law. Mapisa-Nqakula’s assertion of her own significance as South
Africa’s “third most important functionary” is both arrogant and irrelevant in the face of
serious allegations of corruption and money laundering.
We demand that the law enforcement agencies swiftly proceed with the arrest of
Mapisa-Nqakula and ensure that she faces the full consequences of her actions. The
EFF will not stand idly by while those entrusted with public office betray the trust of the people and undermine the integrity of our democracy.
Furthermore, Mapisa-Nqakula’s negligence and insatiable greed have not only tarnished her reputation but have also led to dire consequences for the South African
National Defence Force (SANDF). The recent deployment of over 600 South African
soldiers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) highlights the appalling state of affairs within
the SANDF.
These brave soldiers are forced to operate under precarious conditions, devoid of
basic necessities such as field kitchens and essential medical personnel. The absence
of cargo planes to transport equipment further exacerbates the challenges faced by
our troops, rendering them ill-equipped and vulnerable in critical situations.
As a result of Mapisa-Nqakula’s mismanagement, the SANDF is now financially strained, incapable of fulfilling its duties effectively, particularly in regions like the Congo where operational deficiencies directly impact the safety and well-being of our soldiers.
The EFF reiterates that Mapisa-Nqakula must step down from her position, as her continued presence in the National Assembly flagrantly undermines its integrity. We call upon all political parties to demonstrate their commitment to accountability and
transparency by rallying behind the motion of no confidence that has been tabled
against her in Parliament.
Furthermore, we urge South Africans to remain vigilant as the ruling party may use it’s
majority to protect her from the motion of no confidence, continuing with their habit of
tarnishing democratic processes to monopolise power, instead of holding their leaders accountable.