DA Speaker of the Western Cape Legislature, Masizole Mnqasela, was suspended from all party activities in May.
The party cited a probe into allegations of fraud and corruption against him as one of the reasons for his suspension.
However, he remained Speaker. Premier Alan Winde, who is also the DA caucus leader in the legislature, said he had asked Mnqasela to step down as Speaker while the investigation continues.
Alan Winde, DA Caucus Leader – Western Cape Legislature:
It’s the last thing one wants to be doing but I believe in due process, the rule of law and our Constitution. But when a whistleblower brought me very serious allegations, I then informed the Speaker of all the matters and said to him that if he is guilty, he should resign.
I also said I believe he should step aside while these are being investigated and he refused to do that and I then asked the party for permission to remove him from his seat while this investigation happens.
Winde would not elaborate on the exact nature of the allegations against Mnqasela, but said the protected disclosure he was handed was 500 pages long.
He said Mnqasela could not be allowed to be in a position where he can interfere with the investigation.
Alan Winde, DA Caucus Leader – Western Cape Legislature:
The Speaker does not serve in my cabinet. In actual fact, I and my cabinet need to answer to Parliament, of which the Speaker is then in charge.
-EWN
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