Lungani Zungu
Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been elected as the new Speaker of Parliament.
This comes just two weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa booted her out of government in his cabinet reshuffle.
Mapisa-Nqakula was nominated by the ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina and seconded by Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu.
The Chief Whip of the DA Natasha Mazzone nominated Dr Annelie Lotriet and was seconded by party leader John Steenhuisen.
Mapisa-Nqakula got 199 votes while Lotriet bagged only 82. There were 17 spoiled votes.
She said she was humbled to be elected as Speaker.
The voting, which took place via secret ballot and counting, took about four hours.
She replaces Thandi Modise, who is now the defence minister, meaning the two have effectively swapped jobs.
Her election has been, however, met with fierce opposition, with Julius Malema’s EFF snubbing the special sitting on Thursday afternoon.
The Inkatha Freedom Party, United Democratic Movement and Freedom Front Plus were among the parties which opposed her election.
Opposition leaders cited the investigation against her over the alleged R5 million bribe from a defence contractor as the reason for being against her election.
As National Assembly Speaker, Mapisa-Nqakula will earn a handsome salary of R2,8 million per annum, the same as deputy president.
This is more than what she earned as a minister, which was around R2,4 million.
Opposition parties have viewed Mapisa-Nqakula’s election as Ramaphosa’s bid to tighten his grip in the ANC ahead of next year’s elective conference of the party.
Mapisa-Nqakula is the latest indication that Ramaphosa will throw his hat in the ring for a second term as ANC president.
