South Africa: Embattled Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Resigns
The Speaker of South Africa’s parliament tendered her resignation on Wednesday, along with vacating her seat in the legislature, amidst allegations of corruption. This decision follows a court ruling against her bid to prevent imminent arrest.
Prosecutors have disclosed their intention to charge Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula with corruption, citing accusations of accepting approximately $135,000 in bribes from a defense contractor during her tenure as defense minister spanning three years.
The alleged payments, reported to have occurred between December 2016 and July 2019, raise serious concerns. Mapisa-Nqakula contests the allegations, maintaining her innocence despite the mounting legal pressure.
In her official statement, Mapisa-Nqakula clarified her resignation as a deliberate move to concentrate on addressing the ongoing investigation initiated by law enforcement agencies. She adamantly refuted any implication of guilt associated with the accusations.
Media sources in South Africa have reported additional claims, including an incident in February 2019 where she purportedly received over $15,000 and a wig during a meeting at the nation’s primary international airport.
Against the backdrop of high unemployment, increasing poverty rates, and public discontent over corruption allegations against its leaders, Mapisa-Nqakula’s party, the African National Congress, faces a critical electoral challenge this year.
Recent polls indicate a potential decline in electoral support for the party, projecting levels below 50%, which would mark its lowest since attaining power following South Africa’s first all-race elections in 1994.
Following Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation announcement, uncertainty looms over whether she will face immediate arrest or voluntarily surrender to authorities, following the dismissal of her plea to avoid detention by the North Gauteng High Court.
