Cape Town - Opposition parties in the Western Cape legislature have urged newly appointed Speaker Daylin Mitchell to urgently act on the forensic investigation report which found deputy speaker Beverley Schäfer guilty of fruitless and wasteful expenditure regarding a state-funded BMW X5.
The former Mobility MEC made history on Monday when he became the youngest legislature speaker in the province, at 36, winning 23 votes against 11 for the ANC’s candidate, Nobulumko Degracia.
The election was presided over by Judge President of the Western Cape High Court John Hlophe.
“I formally pledge that I shall discharge my duties as the speaker and chief presiding officer of this house in an impartial and fair manner, upholding the dignity and the decorum of this house, that I shall fulfil the obligations placed upon me by the Constitution, the law and the rules, regulations and policies of the provincial parliament with honesty and diligence,” said Mitchell.
This happened amid an urgent Western Cape High Court interdict application filed by Mitchell’s predecessor, Masizole Mnqasela, on Friday.
He is challenging the DA and the legislature to stop them from filling the vacancy resulting from an alleged cessation of his DA membership.
Mnqasela’s attorney, Frank Raymond, did not respond for comment about the election on Monday. On Sunday, Mnqasela said “it’s a very painful, tedious, very draining experience” during this period.
DA provincial leader Tertuis Simmers said the party welcomed Mitchell’s election and was confident that he would lead the House with integrity and distinction.
“This comes after the previous Speaker, Masizole Mnqasela, publicly cessated his DA membership by violating a FedEx decision that he should not continue to disparage the party or decisions taken by its structures,” said Simmers.
Premier Alan Winde said Mitchell had been an invaluable part of their provincial cabinet as the Mobility MEC.
Leader of the ANC in the legislature Cameron Dugmore said Mitchell was known as fair and hard working.
“At the same time we remain of the view that former Speaker Masizole Mnqasela did a sterling job as speaker. He was objective and put the legislature on the map. Alan Winde was the hatchet man here.
He still has not produced a shred of evidence to the legislature about what Mr Mnqasela did wrong.”
Dugmore accused the DA of protecting Schäfer.
“We now await the outcome of the high court application of the former speaker. As the ANC we had a principled view that the house needed to fill the vacancy. Now that the Speaker has been elected we will give our full co-operation,” he said.
GOOD Party MPL Shaun August said the election of a young person was a win for the youth of the province. “We urge him to abide by the principles of separation of powers and ensure that the provincial legislature’s executive are not swayed by the DA,” he said.
August said there were a number of outstanding disciplinary matters that needed to be dealt with urgently, including the Schäfer issue.
ActionSA's Western Cape chairperson Michelle Wasserman said it was significant that Schäfer was not elected to the position.
“The serious findings made by advocate Vassen against Ms Schäfer of misconduct and a lack of credibility would have made it impossible for her to ensure that the executive is held to account for its performance and conduct.
ActionSA calls on Mitchell to without delay implement the recommendation made.”
Schäfer said: ”It would be irresponsible of me to comment on this ongoing internal process.”
Last week she stated that she was studying the report and “will respond in due course”.
Cape Times