The authorities in South Africa announced on Monday that they plan to press charges against the parliamentary speaker for corruption. It is alleged that while she held the position of defence minister for three years, she accepted $135,000 (£107,000) and a wig as bribes.
The National Assembly’s speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has not been taken into custody or accused of any wrongdoing. During a court hearing, the prosecutors addressed her statement that she was not adequately informed of the allegations against her and proper procedures were not followed.
The judge was anticipated to make a decision on a delay of custody later in the day, on Monday.
According to court documents filed for the trial, prosecutors allege that Mapisa-Nqakula was given a total of eleven payments equalling $135,000 from December 2016 to July 2019. They also claim that she requested a further bribe of $105,000, but it was not paid.
According to the documents, in February 2019, Mapisa-Nqakula was given a meeting at the country’s main international airport where she received a wig and over $15,000.
It is not known who the individual is that supposedly provided the bribes.
The prosecution offered her the chance to surrender at a police station and go to court to face official charges. They assured her they would not object to her release on bail.
The politician Mapisa-Nqakula has declared her innocence and stated that she will assist authorities after they conducted a search of her residence in Johannesburg and confiscated evidence last week.
The speaker has stepped down from her position on leave. She was previously charged with accepting bribes, but the parliamentary investigation was dismissed in 2021. The matter resurfaced when a whistleblower came forward last year, according to prosecutors.
The recent corruption scandal involving her is the most recent to impact the African National Congress party, which is currently facing a crucial national election on May 29.
Source: theguardian.com
