By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) is investigating allegations that its chief whip, Pemmy Majodina, is behind the arrest of former parliamentary speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Obed Bapela, confirmed at during the media briefing at Luthuli House on Friday, 5 April that the allegations were serious and that the party was looking into them internally.
Mapisa-Nqakula was charged with corruption and money laundering on Thursday, a day after resigning from her speaker post.
She is accused of soliciting R2.3 million rand in bribes from a former military contractor during her tenure as defence minister.
The former National Assembly speaker made her first court appearance on Thursday and was granted R50,000 bail.
During the court proceeding, her legal counsel told the court that Majodina was behind the political motive to have her prosecuted.
Bapela said the party will deliberate on the matter internally.
“It is a matter that we will engage on internally. There are processes in the ANC. If indeed it’s true, the officials at the national working committee are at liberty to engage on that particular issue.”
Bapela said since Mapisa-Nqakula is aggrieved, the ANC cannot ignore her.
He said the party was faced with sensitive matters and it was capable of handling and resolving them.
“In due course, the ANC will respond to that issue adequately,” said Bapela.
The party’s spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu has also confirmed that the ANC had referred Mapisa-Nqakula to its integrity committee over the corruption allegations against her.
The integrity commission committee of the ANC is seized with the matter and true to our internal democracy and internal control environment the matter is being attended to,” Bhengu said on the charges faced by Mapisa-Nqakula.
Bhengu said the committee had already discussed the allegations against the former speaker of Parliament and her arrest.
Meanwhile President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Mapisa-Nqakula for resigning from her position amid allegations of corruption against her.
Ramaphosa commended Mapisa-Nqakula’s courage amid challenges and emphasised her respect for the rule of law and ongoing legal proceedings.
The president also highlighted that her decision wasn’t an admission of guilt, but a commitment to safeguard the nation’s legislature, the ruling party, and the government.
Elsewhere videos of the AbaThembu king Buyekhaya Dalindyebo donned in ANC regalia caused a stir on social media platforms, with some users questioning whether he has aligned with the ruling party.
King Dalindyebo, the traditional leader of the abaThembu people, was a member of the ANC until 2013, when he was expelled from the party for various reasons, including insulting party leaders and calling for a boycott of the national elections.
He was also convicted of multiple crimes, including kidnapping, assault, and arson, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He kissed the ANC goodbye and joined the EFF. At the time, the fighters even bought him a luxurious car as a gesture of appreciation.
In December 2019, Ramaphosa granted King Dalindyebo pardon, which led to his release from prison in January 2020.
His return to the ANC could be a significant development for the party, as he is a prominent figure in South African politics and has a large following among the abaThembu people.