Parties have mixed views on new NW Legislature Speaker

Political parties in the North West Legislature have offered contrasting opinions regarding the election of Viola Motsumi as the new Speaker. Motsumi assumes the position after being removed as Education Minister. The African National Congress (ANC), which holds the majority in the legislature, backed Motsumi, defeating the Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) Shakes Botswe by 25 votes to nine.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Freddy Sonakile expressed support for Motsumi, highlighting her extensive experience within the legislature. She previously served as Deputy Speaker, which led the DA to consider endorsing her candidacy instead of Botswe. Sonakile emphasized that the party had to weigh the importance of experience between the two candidates and ultimately decided in favor of Motsumi.

On the other hand, EFF MPL Fanon Moema expressed a lack of confidence in Motsumi's ability to effectively lead the legislature. Meanwhile, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Michal Groenewald raised concerns about the continuous redeployment of ANC members between positions, contributing to instability within the provincial government.

Groenewald specifically pointed out Motsumi as the third Speaker in the North West in just two years, which he believed undermined stability and service delivery in the province. Premier Lazarus Makgosi had previously stated that he was reviewing the performance of executive committee members, with Motsumi at the center of the matter.