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ActionSA welcomes the long overdue Resignation of National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, after she lost her court bid to interdict any possible arrest on serious corruption charges that she received 11 payments amounting to over R2 million between December 2016 and July 2019 when she was Minister of Defence. 

As a party which stands by the rule of law and ethical leaders, ActionSA welcomes Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation after her delay tactics to stall a possible arrest failed. We trust this is a positive step forward towards her speedy prosecution at a time when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has failed to achieve any high-profile corruption prosecution in recent years.

It is, however, concerning that neither President Cyril Ramaphosa nor the ruling party has expressed concern over the National Assembly Speaker’s conduct and was even willing to keep her in the Speaker position in the form of special leave. This once again speaks to the lack of political will which exists within Ramaphosa’s administration to keep corrupt individuals accountable. 

Earlier on Wednesday, ActionSA unveiled its plan to speed up NPA prosecutions such as those against the Mapisa-Nqakula by, among others, ensuring the NPA’s independence by significantly expanding its funding and allocating its budget directly from the Division of Revenue Act, instead of the Department of Justice.

We will furthermore ensure that the NDPP’s appointment process is led by a parliamentary committee that isn’t dominated by any majority party to safeguard their independence. We would establish a separate oversight committee to oversee the work of the NPA, including its budget, to prevent a repeat of the decimation of the body seen during the Zuma era. 

ActionSA will introduce legislation to amend the Constitution to establish an independent Chapter 9 institution to combat corruption, alongside the return of the Scorpions specialised investigative unit. We will also increase the minimum sentence for anyone guilty of corruption in transactions exceeding R500,000 to 15 years imprisonment without the possibility of a fine or parole.

It is simply unacceptable that for many years politicians have gotten away with impunity, and therefore urgent action is required to fight corruption and restore the rule of law. While we welcome Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation, we know true accountability will only take place once the ruling party is removed from power, and an alternative government is elected which will be decisive in keeping political leaders accountable. 

Issued by ActionSA President Herman Mashaba