Former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has voluntarily surrendered herself to authorities at the Lyttelton police station in Tshwane amidst an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption involving millions of rand.
Reports indicate that two vehicles, an Audi Q7 and a black BMW X5, transported Mapisa-Nqakula to the police station early in the morning, marking a significant development in the unfolding legal saga.
Expected to face charges, Mapisa-Nqakula’s decision to hand herself over comes shortly after her resignation from the National Assembly Speaker position the previous evening. In her resignation statement, she cited the need to focus on addressing the investigation against her, which has loomed over her for weeks amid threats of arrest by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate (ID).
The allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula stem from her time as South Africa’s defense minister, with prosecutors claiming that she solicited over R2.3 million in kickbacks from a defense contractor. These accusations are part of a broader investigation into corruption within the country’s defense procurement processes.
Despite her decision to resign and cooperate with legal proceedings, Mapisa-Nqakula maintains her innocence, emphasizing that her resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Her resignation letter was submitted to acting speaker Lechesa Tsenoli, marking the end of her tenure as Speaker of Parliament.