Business of Parliament continues uninterrupted following Speaker’s leave of absence

23 March 2024

Following the decision by Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to take a leave of absence from her duties to attend to matters related to the investigation into alleged corruption pertaining to her role while a Cabinet member, Parliament reassures the public that the work of the National Assembly remains unaffected. The Assembly remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional obligations and its programme. 
 
According to the Rules of the National Assembly, specifically Rule 24, in the event of the Speaker's absence, inability to perform her duties or vacancy in the office, the Deputy Speaker is required to assume the role of Acting Speaker.
 
In light of this, Mr. Lechesa Tsenoli, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, will serve as the Acting Speaker during the Speaker's leave. He will assume all functions, powers, and responsibilities vested in the Speaker.
 
The Speaker has also formally notified the Deputy Speaker of her decision to take leave. In her communication, she has requested that he, in his capacity as Acting Speaker, formally inform the House of this development at its next sitting.
 
The Speaker's leave of absence is provided for in the Rules of the Assembly, which state that if a member’s absence extends beyond 15 consecutive sittings of the House, a motion explaining the reason and duration of the absence must be introduced. Considering that the National Assembly has only three plenary sittings remaining before it adjourns at the end of March for the national and provincial elections on 29 May, the formal motion process will not be required in this instance.
 
Parliament also assures the public that, despite the Speaker's absence, the multi-party delegation representing Parliament at the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, from 23 to 27 March will proceed as planned. Although the Speaker was initially set to lead this delegation, its participation in the Assembly, held under the theme "Parliament Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding," remains unaffected.
 
Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Sylvia Lucas, will now assume the role of the leader of the delegation. 

Issued by Moloto Mothapo, Media Officer, Parliament, 25 March 2024