Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has resigned as Speaker of Parliament.
In her resignation letter, addressed to the acting speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli, Mapisa-Nqakula said her decision is driven by “a deep respect for the integrity of Parliament, its work, and the laws of the Republic of South Africa.”
Mapisa-Nqakula also handed herself over to the Investigative Directorate at the Lyttleton Police Station on Thursday morning. She had been trying to delay her arrest for weeks.
On Tuesday, the Pretoria High Court rejected her urgent appeal to stop the National Prosecution Authority(NPA) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) from arresting her.
She is accused of allegedly soliciting bribes totalling R4.55 million between 2017 and 2019 during her tenure as defence minister.
Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where the lead prosecutor revealed that she is facing 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering.
In her affidavit, she said she was invoking her right to remain silent until she knew the case against her. She indicated she was not a flight risk as she had “too much to lose” if she evaded the trial, including her relationship with her grandchildren and state pension.
She has maintained and continues to maintain her innocence. “My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against me. I have made a decision to uphold the integrity and sanctity of our Parliament, an apex institution of our system of government, representing the people of South Africa,” she said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), who first filed a complaint against Mapisa-Nqakula with Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, has called for the election of a new national assembly speaker. “This resignation has created a vacancy in Parliament. Both the rules of the National Assembly and, crucially, the Constitution state clearly that once a vacancy has been created, an election of a new Speaker must take place,” said DA Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube. She said the party would write to the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, to initiate the process.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have welcomed her resignation. Treasurer General of the EFF, Omphile Maotwe, said on Newzroom Afrika that they were happy she had resigned, discussing Mapisa-Nqakula’s time as speaker. “The party will deploy the best of the best amongst themselves, so they deployed her thinking she’s the best, but their best is the worst for the public of South Africa,” she said.
Mapisa-Nqakula was granted bail of R50 000 and will appear again in court on 4 June 2024. The conditions of her bail are that she hand in her passport before Monday, 8 April 2024, and have no direct or indirect contact with the witnesses.
