THE Democratic Alliance welcomes an announcement by KwaZulu-Natal Speaker, Peggy Nkonyeni, that she will request a full investigation by the Public Protector in a bid to clear her name following fresh allegations by the DA that she profited after several companies, of which she is a director, were found to have done business with the provincial government.

The Speaker's statement that she will approach the Public Protector does not, however, place her in the clear and the DA again calls on KZN Premier, Zweli Mkhize, to act immediately by suspending her pending the outcome of an investigative process.   The title of Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal parliament is a politically strategic position and requires an individual with the utmost integrity.  As Speaker, Nkonyeni also oversees the discipline and conduct of members of the provincial government and she must lead by example.

Any individual should be afforded the opportunity to clear his or her name and the Speaker is no different.   However, the DA strongly believes that the accusations that have dogged Nkonyeni for several years are there for a reason.

The DA will hold Nkonyeni to her statement that she will approach the Public Protector.   As the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature she is first and foremost accountable to the citizens of this province - the onus is now on her to prove that she is fit to hold this position.

Statement issued by Sizwe Mchunu, MPP, Leader of the DA in the KZN Legislature, October 31 2011

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