Opposition parties call for thorough probe into Mapisa-Nqakula amid imminent arrest reports
The speaker faces corruption allegations after a recent report claimed she benefitted over R2 million in kickbacks from defence force tenders during her tenure as the minister of defence.
FILE: National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Opposition parties in Parliament are calling on law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, amid reports of her imminent arrest.
Mapisa-Nqakula is facing corruption allegations after a Sunday Times report that she allegedly benefitted over R2 million in kickbacks from defence force tenders while she was the minister.
ALSO READ:
- Parliament tight-lipped on reports Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula to hand herself over to police on Friday
- In wake of NPA raid on her home, pressure mounts on Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula to step down
- 'Allow due process to unfold': ANC chief whip on corruption allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula
The speaker denied any wrongdoing, and she said she would fully cooperate with any investigations and legal processes.
She has since announced that she will be taking immediate special leave from her parliamentary duties.
In the wake of the allegations, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on her to step down.
“It is clear that there’s no other way. The speaker has to step down in order to retain and sustain public trust in our Parliament,” said DA parliamentary chief whip Siviwe Gwarube.
Earlier this week, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald said the speaker failed to be a symbol of integrity.
“She should step aside until this investigation is completed because her integrity is now under investigation and that reflects on Parliament.”
On Tuesday, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate raided her Johannesburg house as part of a corruption probe against her, in which she vowed her full cooperation.
At least three white vehicles arrived at Mapisa-Nqakula’s home on Friday morning, but it’s unclear whether this was private security or members of the South African Police Service.
Speculation has been rife this week that the speaker will hand herself over to the police following the Tuesday morning raid.
This is despite Mapisa-Nqakula insisting that there’s no formal notification of an arrest warrant or communication regarding an imminent arrest for her, with the speaker maintaining she had nothing to hide.
For now, a member of the State Security Agency has urged Eyewitness News to keep its distance from the speaker's home.