On Thursday night, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced that she would be taking “special leave” from her role. This decision comes in light of the seriousness of the allegations and the extensive media speculation surrounding them.
Mapisa-Nqakula stated, “I have decided to take special leave from my position as Speaker of the National Assembly, effective immediately. This decision has been communicated to the Secretary of Parliament and to the President of the Republic in his capacity as head of state.”
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The decision to take special leave is intended to protect the integrity of Parliament and ensure that its sacred duty and reputation remain unblemished. The move comes after a raid by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate at Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home on Tuesday morning. The operation is linked to a probe into alleged corruption during her time as Defence Minister.
Mapisa-Nqakula expressed her utmost respect for the country’s legislative system and laws, some of which she had been privileged to pass. She assured the nation of her willingness to fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies on any matter that may arise.
While there has been no formal notification of an arrest warrant or communication regarding an imminent arrest, Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team has proactively informed the National Prosecution Authority of her readiness to comply and cooperate if the need arises.
Her lawyer, Stephen May, stated that the decision of whether she would hand herself over to the police was under consideration, but litigation is expected in the circumstances.
Parliament had previously announced that Mapisa-Nqakula would lead a multi-party delegation to the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly trip to Geneva, Switzerland.
However, she has decided not to attend the “long-planned” trip. Her lawyer, Stephen May, confirmed this, stating that she would remain in the country and any media reports suggesting otherwise are false.
The raid at Mapisa-Nqakula’s home follows a complaint filed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) with Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.
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The complaint was made earlier this month after Mapisa-Nqakula was named in an affidavit submitted to the Investigating Directorate by the owner of Umkhombe Marine, a company responsible for transporting South African National Defence Force (SANDF) cargo for military missions.
Businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu claimed that she had paid up to R2.3 million in cash to Mapisa-Nqakula between November 2016 and July 2019 when she served as Defence Minister.
