Cape Town – The president of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League, Collen Malatji, has expressed sadness over former speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula facing legal charges, yet sees it as a sign of the party’s commitment to equality under the law.
According to EWN, Malatji remarked that it is regrettable to witness an individual who has dedicated over four decades of service to the African National Congress (ANC) now facing serious allegations.
Mapisa-Nqakula was granted bail while facing bribery allegations from her time as defence minister.
Despite resigning from her parliamentary roles to focus on fighting the allegations, Malatji emphasised the importance of upholding the law and protecting constitutional democracy, urging Mapisa-Nqakula to prove her innocence through proper legal channels.
“She needs to prove her innocence, if she is innocent but she has followed proper processes of the ANC, she has resigned as a speaker to give space and integrity to an important arm of the state and she’s on step aside, until that time, I think let’s allow the law and protect our constitutional democracy,” the report quoted Malatji as saying.
Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu confirmed on Friday that the ANC has referred Mapisa-Nqakula to its integrity committee regarding corruption allegations against her.
Bhengu spoke at a press briefing, during which the ANC elucidated its stance on global matters, including the conflict between Palestine and Israel.
“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,” The Citizen quoted Bhengu saying on the charges faced by Mapisa-Nqakula.
“I am also very keen not discuss matters of that nature because we always grant you an audience every time,” she said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
