By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Lechesa Tsenoli has been appointed acting Speaker after National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula took special leave following an investigation into allegations of corruption.
Mapisa-Nqakula has since filed for a court interdict against her possible arrest in the corruption probe.
This comes after the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate raided her Johannesburg home last week.
Parliament said special leave was allowed in the rules of the National Assembly.
It said the rules were also clear that if the speaker was not able to perform her duties the deputy speaker takes over as acting speaker.
“According to the Rules of the National Assembly, specifically Rule 24, in the event of the Speaker’s absence, inability to perform her duties or vacancy in the office, the Deputy Speaker is required to assume the role of Acting Speaker.”
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says Tsenoli will maintain all speaker responsibilities following Mapisa-Nqakula’s decision to take leave amidst a corruption investigation.
“Parliament reassures the public that the work of the National Assembly remains unaffected. The Assembly remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional obligations and its program”.
“The Speaker’s leave of absence is provided for in the Rules of the Assembly, which state that if a member’s absence extends beyond 15 consecutive sittings of the House, a motion explaining the reason and duration of the absence must be introduced”.
“Considering that the National Assembly has only three plenary sittings remaining before it adjourns at the end of March for the national and provincial elections on 29 May, the formal motion process will not be required in this instance”.
Meanwhile, Mothapo confirmed Parliament’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU), which will be led by deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Sylvia Lucas.
The IPU Assembly would convene under the banner of: “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding” between 23-27 March.