Faith Nyasuguta
South African prosecutors have announced their intention to charge parliamentary speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula with corruption, alleging she received $135,000 and a wig in bribes during her tenure as defence minister. Mapisa-Nqakula, who denies wrongdoing, has not been arrested or charged yet.
The prosecutors stated this during a court hearing where Mapisa-Nqakula argued authorities had not properly informed her of the allegations or followed correct procedure.
According to court documents, Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly received 11 payments totaling $135,000 between December 2016 and July 2019. Additionally, she reportedly sought another bribe of $105,000, but it was not paid.
One incident detailed in the papers describes a meeting at the country’s main international airport in February 2019, where Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly received over $15,000 and a wig.
Although the person who allegedly paid the bribes remains unnamed, prosecutors offered Mapisa-Nqakula the opportunity to turn herself in at a police station and be taken to court for formal charging, assuring they would not oppose her bail.
Despite the accusations, Mapisa-Nqakula maintains her innocence and expressed willingness to cooperate after authorities searched her Johannesburg home and seized evidence.
In response to the allegations, Mapisa-Nqakula has taken a leave of absence from her role as speaker. This is not the first time she has faced corruption accusations; a parliamentary investigation in 2021 was dropped, but the case resurfaced after a whistleblower came forward last year.
This scandal is the latest in a series of corruption cases plaguing the ruling African National Congress party, particularly as the country approaches a critical national election on May 29.
The allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula add to the challenges facing the ANC as it seeks to maintain its position amidst growing public discontent over corruption and mismanagement.
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