/ 19 June 2009

IFP tables motion to suspend KZN speaker

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on Friday tabled a motion in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature to suspend its speaker, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, pending the outcome of her corruption trial.

It was the same call made by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) earlier this month.

Lourens De Klerk, IFP member of the provincial legislature, said Nkonyeni was on trial for a money-related matter and should be suspended as a preventative measure to protect the financial control and integrity of the house.

On June 2 John Steenhuisen, the DA’s caucus leader in the legislature called on Premier Zweli Mkhize and the African National Congress (ANC) to ask Nkonyeni to step down pending the outcome of her trial.

”As the political head of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, the appearance of [Peggy] Nkonyeni in the dock has sullied the entire legislature and runs the real risk of bringing the legislature into disrepute,” he said at the time.

Nkonyeni’s trial was set down from August 13 to 18.

According to the indictment, Nkonyeni allegedly accepted kickbacks of R20 000 and free accommodation at the luxury Steenberg boutique hotel in Constantia, Western Cape.

This was allegedly in return for influencing the provincial health department to buy expensive equipment at an inflated price from an associate of hers.

She was accused of committing the corruption while the province’s minister for health.

ANC spokesperson Nomfundo Mcetywa at the time said the provincial executive committee had discussed the matter.

”They decided that you cannot just fire somebody because of an allegation. The law has to run its course.”

She described the calls as ”baseless”.

”We want the law to run its course and we will respect the court’s decision. Until then, the speaker will remain.” — Sapa