Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Speaker of the National Assembly in South Africa, is currently facing serious legal challenges. She has been charged with 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. These charges have emerged from allegations of her involvement in a series of bribes during her tenure as the Defence Minister.
An advocate’s affidavit has revealed a trail of bribes that Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly pocketed, which has led to these charges. The situation escalated when an elite police unit raided her Johannesburg home, acting on behalf of state prosecutors investigating the corruption allegations. The search lasted five hours, during which Mapisa-Nqakula cooperated fully with the investigators.
The accusations include soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts, specifically a tender to transport army equipment back to South Africa from other parts of the continent. The sums involved are reported to be around $120,000.
Mapisa-Nqakula has a long history in South African politics, having served as Defence Minister for seven years before becoming Speaker in 2021. She is a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle and has publicly stated that she believes corruption is a significant threat to democracy and good governance². Despite these charges, she maintains her innocence and is disturbed by the allegations.
The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed the search operation but has not provided further details or indicated when or if additional charges will be brought². This case is developing, and it remains to be seen how it will unfold and impact South Africa’s political landscape.