By OBAKENG MAJE
The embattled National Assembly speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has resigned from her position and also as a Member of Parliament (MP). Mapisa-Nqakula said in a statement that she has submitted her resignation letter to the acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli.
“My letter of resignation as both the Speaker of the National Assembly and a Member of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. The resignation is effective immediately. I have made this conscious decision in order to dedicate my time and focus to deal with the recently announced investigation against me by our country’s law enforcement agencies.
“My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against me. I have made this decision in order to uphold the integrity and sanctity of our parliament, an apex institution of our system of government, representing the People of South Africa as a whole,” she said.
Mapisa-Nqakula further said the position of the speaker of the NA of the Republic of South Africa is critical in the reconstruction and development of the country. She added that, given the seriousness of the much-publicised allegations against her, she cannot continue in this role.
“As a country’s chief lawmaker, I hold a central responsibility to protect and preserve the integrity of parliament by ensuring that my actions ensure that its sacred work must continue without blemish.
“I believe that, at the right time, I will have the opportunity to thoroughly address these allegations as and when they have been formally brought against me in the appropriate forums, at which time I will clear my good name. I maintain my innocence and am determined to restore my good reputation,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.
She said as a member of the ANC, she has spent half of her life in the forefront of the struggle to defend the freedom and rights of all South Africans, 30 of these years in her capacity as MP and the Executive.
Mapisa-Nqakula said part of the principle for which she and many other comrades fought for, is the principle for every South African to be deemed innocent until proven guilty.
“Given the public trust entrusted in me as a Speaker of our National Assembly and the need for me to protect the image of our organisation the African National Congress, I have an obligation, despite the principle that I should be deemed innocent, to step down from my office.
“I have also written to my organisation to thank the African National Congress informing the leadership of my decision and to thank the ANC for having given me the opportunity and trusted me with many senior leadership responsibilities in service of our people and our Revolution over the years,” she said.
Mapisa-Nqakula said she remains a dedicated member of the African National Congress, a movement she has remained loyal to all her political life.
