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Western Cape Transport and Public Works MEC, Bonginkosi Madikizela
PHOTO: Kamva Somdyala, News24)
- A request for an urgent debate on allegations that Bonginkosi Madikizela conspired to assassinate provincial president Masizole Mnqasela was rejected.
- Cameron Dugmore of the ANC requested the debate as it involves the Speaker.
- The vice president of the legislature, Beverley Schäfer, denied the request.
With three days to go before the district attorney chooses a new leader in the Western Cape, the province will not hold any debate on allegations that incumbent leader Bonginkosi Madikizela planned the assassination of his main opponent.
Earlier this week, the party was rocked by allegations that Madikizela, who is also the MEC for Transport and Public Works, plotted the assassination of Masizole Mnqasela, chairman of the Western Cape Legislature.
Mnqasela races against Madikizela on Saturday.
The district attorney has also launched an internal investigation into the matter, but has remained silent on the details of the allegation.
Madikizela was not attracted to the accusations. “Let’s talk after FedEX,” he said, referring to the federal executive’s investigation.
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The ANC’s opposition leader in the legislature, Cameron Dugmore, wrote to Mnqasela this week to request a debate on the matter.
“The matter of urgent public importance concerns the implications of the recent allegations reported in the media about an assassination plot against you, the chairman of the Western Cape Legislature. Such allegations are unprecedented in the history of this legislature.” Dugmore said.
Dugmore said the matter was beyond the scope of an internal prosecution investigation as it affects the legislature.
He said:
These accusations threaten the stability and good governance of the province. The fact that this indictment involves a member of this House and a MEC is cause for great concern. MEC Madikizela is also a government business leader and is expected to work closely with you as a spokesperson.
The vice president of the legislature, Beverley Schäfer, flatly rejected a debate on the matter.
Since the Spokesperson (Mnqasela) is a party to the matter, Schäfer dealt with the request.
“While the matter you are raising is certainly topical and is in the public domain, I do not believe, however, that there are grounds of ‘urgency’ as provided in Article 144. On this basis, I cannot access your Request for override the parliamentary program to accommodate this matter. “
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Schäfer suggested that Dugmore consider using alternative parliamentary procedures to deal with the matter.
Before the elective congress on Saturday, both Madikizela and Mnqasela have the support of various high-ranking party members in legislatures and councils.
Acting Deputy Provincial Leader Albert Fritz will face Tertius Simmers.
Both are in the provincial cabinet and serve in the portfolios of Community and Human Settlements respectively.
Former DA MP James Vos, now a Cape Town city councilor, is running for provincial president.
Grant Twigg, who lost the battle for DA Cape metro president to Mayor Dan Plato last month, is running for provincial vice president.
The congress will be held on Saturday.
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