Former South Africa Speaker Faces 12-Count Corruption Charges.
By Caroline Ameh
Former Speaker of Parliament in South Africa, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, appeared in court facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.
Mapisa-Nqakula surrendered to authorities on Thursday morning and denied the allegations, asserting her innocence.
Prosecutors argued that there is substantial evidence against her regarding alleged bribery for contract awards during her tenure as defense minister.
Despite resigning recently, Mapisa-Nqakula maintained her innocence, stating her departure wasn’t an admission of guilt but a response to the gravity of the investigation.
The veteran politician, known for her involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, served as defense minister for seven years before assuming the role of speaker in 2021.
Legal efforts to prevent her arrest were unsuccessful, with judges ruling against her request, citing lack of urgency.
Allegations suggest Mapisa-Nqakula solicited $120,000 from a company owner to secure a tender for transporting army equipment, according to reports.
Her resignation precedes the upcoming general election, amid mounting challenges for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has been marred by accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
