By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for patience, amid investigations into National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s alleged corruption.
Mapisa-Nqakula was involved in a stand-off with the National Prosecuting Authority after she went to the Pretoria High Court to seek an order to prevent law enforcement agencies from arresting her.
She faces corruption charges after she was implicated in bribery allegations involving a defence department service provider.
Speaking to the media on conclusion of an engagement with young people in Gqeberha on Saturday, Ramaphosa said the law enforcement processes have to reach a certain stage before any action could be taken.
They raided her house, she hasn’t been charged yet. She has said that she will take special leave and there’s a process that’s unfolding.
“As I’ve always said, we have processes, institutions, well-geared and independent institutions and in the end we must rely on those institutions to do their work.
“When we give them space and the opportunity to do their work, then we will be successful,” said Ramaphosa.
“As far as I am concerned, the Speaker herself has said that she is cooperating. That in itself must say something to all of us.
“We’re dealing here with allegations that have been made, with a Speaker who says she’s cooperating and from a governance point of view, she said I’m taking special leave and the process must then unfold.
“It’s already known that when it reaches a particular point, certain actions need to be taken. There’s no running away from that.
“The matter is being handled, let’s give the institutions that are handling this matter the space to handle this matter.
“I am certain that the rule of law and processes of handling things like these in our country will prevail, so let’s allow that to happen.”
Political parties have called for Mapisa-Nqakula to quit.
The allegations against the speaker stem from the time she was defence minister. This was before she was appointed speaker in 2021.
Ramaphosa has also paid his condolences to Russian leader Vladimir Putin after more than 133 people were killed in an attack in Moscow.
“We were shocked and saddened to hear that up to 40 people, if not more, have been killed. We pay our condolences to the people of Russia. I will be talking to president Putin in the next few days and intend to pay our condolences and, of course, we congratulate him on his victory and to discuss many other things, including the Ukraine-Russia war or conflict.
“Its always sad when so many people are killed in a terror attack. Our condolences go to the people of Russia during this difficult time for them,” said Ramaphosa.