South African Parliament Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula Resigns Amid Corruption Probe

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has resigned, a day after the High Court dismissed her application to stop the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) from arresting her on corruption charges.

Mapisa-Nqakula said in a media statement which was issued by parliament on Wednesday evening that she had handed her resignation to acting speaker Lechesa Tsenoli. 

“I have submitted to the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Lechesa Tsenoli, my letter of resignation as both the Speaker of National Assembly and a Member of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. The resignation is effective immediately,” the letter reads.

Last month, Mapisa-Nqakula’s residence was raided on Tuesday as part of a corruption investigation ordered by the National Prosecution Authority.

The raid at her house in Johannesburg’s eastern suburb of Bruma drew a call from the official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, for her to step down.

It is reported that she solicited 2.3 million rand ($122,000) in bribes from a contractor while she was defense minister.

In her statement she said that she had decided to resign “in order to dedicate my time and focus to deal with the recently announced investigation against me by our country’s law enforcement agencies.”

She noted that her resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against her, however, its made to uphold the integrity and sanctity of Parliament.

“The position of the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa is critical in the reconstruction and development of our country. Given the seriousness of the much-publicized allegations against me, I cannot continue in this role. As a country’s chief lawmaker, I hold a central responsibility to protect and preserve the integrity of Parliament by ensuring that my actions ensure that its sacred work of must continue without blemish,” she revealed.

She said that at the appropriate time, she would have the opportunity to “clear my good name when the matter came before the appropriate forum. I maintain my innocence and am determined to restore my good reputation.”