South Africa’s National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is expected to hand over herself to police on Friday over allegation of corruption during her time as defence minister, according to local media.
However, the speaker says there has been no formal notification of arrest warrant or communication regarding her imminent arrest.
South Africa’s state-owned broadcaster SABC reported that Mapisa-Nqakula was suspected of receiving millions of rand in cash as bribes from a former military contractor when she was defence minister.
It was reported that investigation had been instituted against the speaker over the allegation.
Investigators raided Mapisa-Nqakula home earlier on Tuesday as part of the corruption inquiry, but did not provide further details on the investigation or the corruption allegations.
The Speaker, however, expressed her readiness to comply and cooperate with the police if invited.
Mapisa-Nqakula, who was defence minister from 2012 to 2021, has denied wrongdoing.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations and the attendant extensive media speculation, I have decided to take special leave from my position as Speaker of the National Assembly, effective immediately,” Mapisa-Nqakula said in a statement.
She, however, denied any formal notification of an arrest warrant or communication regarding her imminent arrest.
“My lawyers have, however, proactively informed the National Prosecution Authority of my readiness to comply and cooperate should the need arise,” she said. (Reuters/NAN)
