Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to appear in court shortly

South Africa’s Former National Assembly speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, handed herself over to the authorities after facing the threat of arrest over graft charges.

Mapisa-Nqakula arrived at the Lyttelton Police Station in Centurion early on Thursday morning to hand herself over to officials from the Investigating Directorate.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that Mapisa-Nqakula, who suddenly resigned late Wednesday, will finally appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges.

Various opposition parties have welcomed the resignation.  The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube has labeled the resignation of Mapisa-Nqakula as a victory for accountability and Parliament.

“And by extension the people of South Africa. Parliament cannot be a refuge for some of the worst among us. Those entrusted to lead and represent South Africa must be up to the task. We have long called for this resignation when allegations of corruption and money laundering were levelled against her.

“We believe that anyone who holds this high office should be beyond reproach; and Ms Mapisa-Nqakula is not suited for it. ”

The governing ANC has hailed Mapisa-Nqakula for her commitment to maintain the image of the organization.

“It reflects our principles of organizational renewal that promote proactive responsibility-taking among members, rather than waiting for instructions to step aside.”

Meanwhile, Mapisa-Nqakula says her resignation as Speaker of Parliament is not an admission of guilt.

“My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against me. I have made this decision in order to uphold the integrity and sanctity of our parliament, an apex institution of our system of government, representing the people of South Africa as a whole.

“The position of the speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa is critical in the reconstruction and development of our country. Given the seriousness of the much-publicised allegations against me, I cannot continue in this role. As a country’s chief lawmaker, I hold a central responsibility to protect and preserve the integrity of parliament by ensuring that my actions ensure that its sacred work must continue without blemish,” she said in her letter to the acting speaker.

She is expected to apply for bail. The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated that it will not oppose bail.

This comes after the Independent Directorate (ID) was investigating the speaker in connection with allegations that she was paid millions in cash bribes by a defence force contractor.

The investigation found she allegedly received R2.3m in cash delivered in gift bags by defence businessperson Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu‚ who is married to a general in the military health service.

According to reports, Mapisa-Nqakula served in the defence ministry until 2021 when she was appointed speaker.

She succeeded Thandi Modise as speaker, who was appointed minister of defence by Ramaphosa.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa first raised alarm in 2019 when he asked the joint standing committee on defence to investigate allegations of corruption against Mapisa-Nqakula in 2019.

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