Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, announced her resignation on Wednesday in the midst of an inquiry into allegations of corruption during her time as the defense minister.
Investigators conducting the corruption probe invaded Mapisa-home Nqakula’s last month; they withheld information about the investigation and the charges.
She released a statement saying, “My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the claims being leveled against me.”
Her resignation takes effect immediately, and she also gives up her seat in parliament.
From 2012 until 2021, Mapisa-Nqakula served as minister of defense. She is allegedly suspected of accepting millions of rand in cash as bribes from a former employee, according to South Africa’s state-run broadcaster SABC.
After the raid, Mapisa-Nqakula requested a special leave of absence. On Tuesday, she lost her legal attempt to prevent the arrest of the individual.
She has not yet been accused of any crimes, and the police have not formally announced that she may be taken into custody.
(Reuters)
