South African prosecutors announced their intention to charge Parliament speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula with corruption, alleging that she accepted $135,000 and a wig in bribes over a three-year period while serving as defense minister. Despite not being arrested or officially charged, Mapisa-Nqakula faces allegations that she failed to cooperate with authorities and follow proper procedure in response to the accusations. These claims were brought up during a court hearing, where a judge was expected to rule on a stay of arrest later that day.
In court documents, prosecutors detailed that Mapisa-Nqakula received a total of 11 payments amounting to $135,000 between December 2016 and July 2019, with an additional bribe of $105,000 also being requested but not successfully paid. One specific incident cited in the papers involved her allegedly receiving over $15,000 and a wig during a meeting at the country’s main international airport in February 2019. While the identity of the individual who purportedly paid the bribes was not disclosed, prosecutors indicated that she was given the opportunity to turn herself in at a police station and appear in court to face formal charges, with bail not being opposed.
Mapisa-Nqakula has refuted the allegations of corruption and vowed to collaborate with authorities following the search of her home in Johannesburg and the seizure of evidence last week. She has since taken a leave of absence from her position as Parliament speaker. This is not the first time she has been accused of receiving bribes, as a previous parliamentary investigation in 2021 was ultimately dropped. However, the case was reignited after a whistleblower came forward last year, sparking renewed interest from prosecutors.
This scandal involving Mapisa-Nqakula is just the latest corruption controversy to plague the African National Congress party, which is gearing up for a critical national election on May 29. The incident reflects ongoing challenges in South Africa’s political landscape, where allegations of bribery and unethical behavior remain a prevalent issue. As the situation unfolds, it underscores the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and upholding transparency and integrity within the government. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the political future of both Mapisa-Nqakula and the African National Congress party as a whole.
