South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, announced on Thursday that she would be taking special leave amid an investigation into alleged corruption during her tenure as defense minister. Investigators conducted a raid at Mapisa-Nqakula’s residence on Tuesday as part of the corruption probe, although specific details regarding the investigation and allegations were not disclosed. Mapisa-Nqakula, who served as defense minister from 2012 to 2021, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement, Mapisa-Nqakula expressed the gravity of the allegations and the extensive media speculation surrounding them, prompting her decision to take special leave from her role as Speaker of the National Assembly, effective immediately. While there has been no formal notification of an arrest warrant or imminent arrest, contrary to local media reports suggesting she would surrender to police on Friday, Mapisa-Nqakula assured her proactive readiness to comply and cooperate with the National Prosecution Authority should the need arise.
Reports from South Africa’s state-owned broadcaster, SABC, indicated suspicions that Mapisa-Nqakula received millions of rand in cash bribes from a former military contractor during her tenure as defense minister.
