South Africa‘s special investigations unit conducted a search at the residence of Parliament’s Speaker for over five hours on Tuesday, seizing evidence as part of a corruption probe into allegations of bribery during her tenure as defense minister.
The search and seizure operation at the Johannesburg home of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, a longstanding member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was officially confirmed by Parliament in a statement.
Despite the allegations, the Speaker denied any wrongdoing and expressed full cooperation with the investigators, emphasizing that she has nothing to conceal, as per Parliament’s statement.
The probe into Mapisa-Nqakula, aged 67, was triggered by recent reports alleging that she received bribes totaling at least $120,000 from a defense contractor between 2016 and 2019, often delivered in cash concealed in gift bags, according to The Sunday Times newspaper.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) indicated that the search operation was conducted by its investigating directorate.
While Mapisa-Nqakula was expected to preside over a parliamentary session, she was notably absent, with the deputy speaker assuming her duties during the session where lawmakers posed questions to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Amidst these developments, the opposition Democratic Alliance party called for her resignation, citing concerns about her ability to fulfill the responsibilities of her high-ranking position.
Mapisa-Nqakula has previously faced allegations of corruption during her tenure as defense minister, though a parliamentary investigation was halted around the time of her appointment as Speaker in 2021.
Her case adds to a string of corruption accusations against senior ANC figures during the leadership of former President Jacob Zuma, who faced multiple graft allegations during his presidency from 2009 to 2018.
Despite extensive evidence presented during a commission of inquiry into corruption under Zuma’s leadership, resulting in calls for prosecution, few have been held accountable, and the ANC has allowed some implicated individuals to run for office again in the upcoming national election on May 29.
The corruption scandals have significantly tarnished the reputation of the ANC, with analysts predicting a potential loss of majority in the forthcoming elections, which could lead to South Africa having a coalition government for the first time.
