Opposition backs ANC call for new W Cape speaker

THE ANC in the Western Cape has submitted an urgent motion in the Western Cape provincial legislature in an attempt to expedite the process of declaring a vacancy for the position of speaker.

This comes after Masizole Mnqasela’s DA membership was terminated this week which created a vacuum – one the DA has been accused of being reluctant to fill as Mnqasela is challenging his axing in the courts.

“The provincial legislature must fill a vacancy … the legislature cannot operate without a speaker,” read a part of the motion signed by the ANC’s leader of the opposition, Cameron Dugmore.

“The election of a new speaker (should be done) no later than next week,” Dugmore wrote.

The DA’s communications director, Richard Newton, said the motion would be dealt with once it was formally tabled.

“Mnqasela (ended) his membership earlier this week and as such any positions he holds as a result of his membership then is no longer valid,” Newton told Weekend Argus.

“Given the legal action from Mnqasela’s legal team, the vacancy has not been filled and any motions in that regard will have to follow the prescribed processes.”

Weekend Argus understands the motion will be entertained on Monday morning at 10am.

The Freedom Front Plus’s Peter Marais told Weekend Argus he would support a motion to elect a new speaker.

“We need honesty, transparency and I need them to declare this vacancy.”

“We need reasons … on Thursday I asked: ‘Did Masizole resign or did you fire him?’ No one answered my question.

“The DA also treated me like this when I was mayor of Cape Town … I am asking here for equal treatment.”

Al Jamah-ah’s Galil Brinkhuis said it supported the motion.

“We need a speaker and we need a speaker now … the house is in a chaotic state and the current circumstances are very difficult.”

The GOOD party’s Shaun August said he would also throw his weight behind the ANC’s motion.

“It’s concerning that we don’t have a speaker … I will support the motion,” said August.

The DA’s federal executive (FedEx) on Tuesday evening discussed “a letter of demand” tabled by Mnqasela, as previously reported.

In the lawyer’s letter, Mnqasela demanded the withdrawal of the cessation of his membership.

Mnqasela was given until 10am on Tuesday to re-apply for his membership following last week’s press conference, where he spoke out against the motion filed against him.

A FedEx-insider told Weekend Argus that Mnqasela wanted the cessation to be withdrawn before noon on Tuesday.

Thursday’s sitting of the house descended into chaos with members from opposition benches demanding answers on why Mnqasela wasn’t presiding over the meeting.

Chairpersons of different committees took turns presiding over the sitting but struggled to main order.

Attempts to get comment from Mnqasela were not successful.

His lawyer, Frank Raymond, said: “No comment at this stage.”