Cape Town – The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) raided the home of National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who has recently been the subject of media reports alleging that she took bribes when she was Defence Minister.
NPA investigators spent several hours inside the home.
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In a statement, Parliament said it “wishes to confirm that the National Prosecution Authority conducted a search and seizure procedure this morning at the residence of the Speaker of the National Assembly Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula”.
The statement added: “This operation is linked to the agency’s widely publicized investigation into alleged corruption reportedly involving the Speaker’s tenure as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.
“The Speaker steadfastly upholds her strong conviction of innocence, and reaffirms that she has nothing to hide.”
The statement said, in line with this, Mapisa-Nqakula has welcomed investigators into her home, cooperating fully during the extensive search that lasted over five hours.
“The Speaker’s commitment to serving the public with honour and integrity remains unwavering,” the statement said.
“Corruption poses a significant threat to the principles of democracy and good governance and fundamentally contradicts everything the Speaker represents. Therefore, she is profoundly disturbed by such allegations.
“This morning’s events have inevitably interrupted the Speaker’s parliamentary diary, including her role in presiding over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly. In light of her absence, the Deputy Speaker will assume this role and preside over the session.”
