NA Speaker launches urgent application to interdict her arrest

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has launched an urgent application to interdict her arrest, therefore she will not be appearing in court. This comes after Mapisa-Nqakula reportedly handed herself over to the police on Friday morning.

PHOTO - Parliament: NA Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

On Thursday, she announced that she will take special leave from her post following allegations of corruption against her. Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of receiving over two-million-rand in tender bribes from a contractor to the South African National Defence Force, while she was the minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

In a statement, Parliament clarified that the speaker remains on special leave and is currently at home with her family.

‘’We can confirm that the Speaker and her family are at home and that she has had no interaction with the NPA ID since the Search and Seizure operation at her house on Tuesday, the 19th of March 2024. We can also confirm that this morning the Speaker has filed papers in court challenging the manner in which the search and seizure warrant was obtained and the operation itself. She also demands, within her right that she be given full disclosure of all material information relating to the case, including the full docket in  order to be able to prepare her defence against what she regards as baseless allegations against her. In her papers the Speaker urges the NPA to provide to her the details of the case against her as this seems to have already been given to the media, subjecting her to a trial by the media, without any means to defend herself against these public allegations,’’ said Mike Ramagoma, Mapisa-Nqakula’s advisor.

‘’The Speaker remains on Special Leave from her official duties as she prepares to defend herself against these allegations and flagrant tarnishing of her reputation with impunity. The Speaker’s legal team will communicate any developments in the case to both the public and the media,’’ he added.

Several opposition parties have meanwhile called for her resignation.

‘’The DA has repeatedly called for the Speaker to resign as it is simply not fitting for the head of the national legislature to be facing allegations of corruption and a possible imminent arrest following a raid at her house this week. The announcement that she has taken ‘special leave’ not resigned has left us with no choice but to submit a formal motion of no confidence to be debated and voted on before the House rises and the expiration of this term,’’ said Siviwe Gwarube, DA Chief Whip.

FF Plus leader, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, says action needs to be taken against the Speaker.

‘’Over the past few years, Parliament was informed time and again that urgent interventions are needed to get the country back to a point where it can at least defend itself to some extent. Mapisa-Nqakula served as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans during a time of serious decay and decline.’’

 

Done by: Mitchum George