Cape Town - In an affidavit filed in the Western Cape High Court, former provincial legislature Speaker Masizole Mnqasela has made damning allegations that Premier Alan Winde asked him resign as Speaker but remain a Member of legislature, as this would be “easier for the party to manage”.
Mnqasela has filed an urgent application at the Western Cape High Court seeking to interdict the recent appointment of Daylin Mitchell in the Speaker position.
Mnqasela said he was shocked by Winde’s alleged statement.
“Mr Winde indicated that he had ‘serious news’ which he needed to share.
He explained that he had been provided with serious allegations against me by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) administrative officials.
Then he made a statement to the effect: ‘I have two options; step aside as Speaker and remain an ordinary member of the WCPP then it’s easier for the party to manage this; but if I don’t, officials from the administration will expect (him) to do something as Premier... imagine if the media gets wind of this... it will be very bad for the party (if he has) not done anything.He has to go to the Hawks if I stay in my position,” Mnqasela said.
But Winde has refuted the allegations, calling them an “outright lie”.
As caucus leader, I met with Mr Mnqasela with three witnesses present when I informed him of the very serious nature of the fraud allegations made against him. I told Mr Mnqasela that I must, by law, report the allegations to the SAPS, and that I would also report them to the party, which is what I did,” he said.
Mnqasela was removed from the Speaker position after he was charged with misconduct following allegations of fraud and corruption.
His membership was later terminated for making "disparaging remarks" about the party at a media briefing.
Mnqasela has dismissed claims that he made “disparaging remarks” towards the party.
“I did not make the statement which the party identified in its letter of cessation that: ‘the processes against me are a political witch-hunt’.... To the extent my public statements on 27 November 2022 have been reported as such, the reports are misleading and incorrect... I merely stated that ‘I dismiss all the allegations (of fraud and corruption.. ) as baseless, malicious and a political witch-hunt’.
“This statement is neither disparaging of the party or its structures.
Moreover, any purported determination by the party that my membership ceased is invalid for failure to observe the principles of natural justice,“ read the papers.
Mnqasela also seeks to interdict the DA from filling the vacancy of Speaker until the matter is resolved. The matter is expected to be heard on Thursday.
Provincial legislature spokesperson James Retief declined to comment on the matter on Wednesday. “As this is an ongoing court process, it would be inappropriate to, at this stage, ventilate the matter in the media,” he said.
Mnqasela has maintained that the termination of his party membership is “unlawful and unconstitutional”.
“I remain a DA member in good standing, my blood is royal blue. I love my party and this country.
“The termination of my membership is unlawful and unconstitutional and my counsel will argue that in court,” he said.
Cape Times