By REGINALD KANYANE
In an unprecedented move, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has tabled a motion of no confidence against the North West Provincial Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie, and her Deputy, Viola Motsumi.
According to the DA’s provincial Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile, the Legislature has been dwindling with ‘crisis after crisis’ under Dantjie’ stewardship.
“The DA has been speaking out against the allegations of misconduct of the Speaker and the Senior Management of the legislature and laid charges with the Hawks and Public Protector – all at advanced investigation stages – in an attempt to bring them to account.
“Now, as per previous media statements released on the subject, the DA has decided to take up the fight to restore the integrity of the Legislature as an oversight body. The Speaker, in terms of legislation and in particular the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (FMPPLA), is the Executive Authority and is responsible for the sound financial management of the Legislature – a duty she has been failing at dismally,” said Sonakile.
He further said Dantjie responded to the crises that the institution finds itself in by blatantly refusing to account when summoned to appear before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). Sonakile added that Dantjie’s actions show nothing, but contempt for the hard-earned democracy, the Constitution, the Legislature, and the people of North West.
“The recent resignation of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Oversight of the NWPL, De Wet Nel, who is responsible to oversee the work of the Speaker, is the last straw. His reasons for resigning are centred on the Speaker’s disregard for law and order.
“The office of the Deputy Speaker has been non-existent. Viola Motsumi has been a missing link in occupying space that her title carries. She turned a blind eye to the ongoing allegations of misconduct, rendering her office redundant and only active at the beck and call of the Speaker,” he said.
Sonakile said Motsumi also chairs two sub-committees called Members Interest and Disciplinary Committee, but it has been nothing but a talk shop while Disciplinary Committee has not sat once since 2019, despite numerous incidents (be it during sittings or Committees) that warranted disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, North West Provincial Legislature spokesperson in the Office of the Speaker, Tebogo Chaane said he will respond to the media later on as he still has to gather facts.
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