Lindsay Dentlinger4 March 2024 | 8:15

Mapisa-Nqakula vehemently denies corruption and bribery allegations against her

As Mapisa-Nqakula prepares to lead a South African Parliamentary delegation to the Women Speakers’ Summit in Paris this week, she’s declared her innocence of having allegedly solicited more than R2 million in bribes from a defence contractor. 

Mapisa-Nqakula vehemently denies corruption and bribery allegations against her

Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula in Parliament on Thursday, 29 September 2022. Picture: GCIS

CAPE TOWN - National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is vehemently denying corruption and bribery allegations against her, which once again emerged over the weekend. 
 
These complaints were put before Parliament by United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa in 2021 when she was the Defence Minister but never fully investigated due to a lack of evidence. 

READ: Claims of cash bribes paid to Mapisa-Nqakula should be speedily probed - Holomisa

As Mapisa-Nqakula prepares to lead a South African Parliamentary delegation to the Women Speakers’ Summit in Paris this week, she’s declared her innocence of having allegedly solicited more than R2 million in bribes from a defence contractor. 
  
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was the Defence Minister for seven years when she was removed from the post in 2021 following the KwaZulu-Natal riots.
 
In exchange for a lighter sentence, a South African National Defence Force contractor charged with corruption in 2020 is reported to have blown the whistle on Mapisa-Nqakula in a sworn affidavit. 
 
But on Monday, her advisor, Mike Ramagoma said she had only learnt of the allegations through the Sunday press. 
 
He said she finds it highly objectionable that details of the investigation have been shared with the media.
 
Mapisa-Nqakula said throughout her public service career, she’s upheld the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct and has advocated against corruption. 
 
She said she would fully cooperate with any formal investigations into the allegations, and insists she’s innocent.