Rédaction Africa Links 24 with IOL
Published on 2024-03-22 10:45:36
The former South African Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has found herself in legal trouble as she surrendered to police in Pretoria central and was subsequently arrested on Friday morning. This follows allegations of receiving millions of rand in bribes from a military contractor during her tenure as the Minister of Defence from 2012 to 2021. Despite vehemently denying any wrongdoing, Mapisa-Nqakula is now facing charges of corruption and is expected to appear in court.
Reports from eNCA and Newzroom Afrika indicate that the embattled former minister has expressed her willingness to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the event of her arrest. While she has not received any formal communication from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the arrest, she has taken a leave of absence as the Speaker of Parliament and informed the relevant authorities, including the Secretary to Parliament and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The anticipation surrounding Mapisa-Nqakula’s arrest grew after a raid was conducted at her residence in Johannesburg earlier in the week. This raid was part of an investigation into alleged corruption that occurred during her tenure as the Minister of Defence. In a statement released following the raid, Mapisa-Nqakula stated that there had been no formal notification of an arrest warrant or communication regarding her imminent arrest. However, she and her legal team have notified the NPA of her willingness to comply and cooperate with any legal proceedings.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and the impact on the integrity of parliament, Mapisa-Nqakula decided to take special leave. Despite facing pressure from political parties to resign, she reiterated her commitment to the law and cooperation with the legal process. As a result, she cancelled her plans to travel to Geneva for an Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting where she was expected to lead a delegation of senior officials from parliament.
The unfolding situation involving the former Speaker of Parliament has sparked interest and concern in South Africa. The allegations of corruption and bribery have put a spotlight on Mapisa-Nqakula’s time as the Minister of Defence and raised questions about accountability and transparency in government. As the legal process unfolds, the public will be closely watching to see how the case progresses and what implications it may have on the country’s political landscape.
In conclusion, the arrest of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and combating corruption at all levels of government. As the legal proceedings continue, it is vital for justice to be served and for accountability to be maintained to ensure the trust and confidence of the public in their elected officials.
Read the original article on The Namibian
