South African prosecutors announced on Monday their intention to charge Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula with corruption allegations. They claim that during her tenure as defense minister, she received $135,000 and a wig in bribes over a span of three years.
Despite the allegations, Mapisa-Nqakula has not been arrested or formally charged. Prosecutors raised concerns during a court hearing regarding her assertions that authorities did not adequately inform her of the allegations or follow proper procedures.
The judge was expected to decide on whether to grant a stay of arrest later on Monday.
According to court documents presented at the hearing, prosecutors allege that Mapisa-Nqakula received a total of 11 payments amounting to $135,000 between December 2016 and July 2019. Additionally, she purportedly sought an additional bribe of $105,000, which was not paid.
The court papers also detail an incident in February 2019 where Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly received over $15,000 and a wig during a meeting at the country’s primary international airport. However, the individual who allegedly paid the bribes remains unnamed.
Prosecutors have permitted Mapisa-Nqakula to surrender herself at a police station and appear in court for formal charging. They stated that they would not oppose her bail.
Mapisa-Nqakula maintains her innocence and has expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities following a search of her Johannesburg residence last week, during which evidence was seized.
She has since taken a leave of absence from her position as Parliament speaker. Previous allegations of bribery against her were dropped following a parliamentary investigation in 2021. However, the case resurfaced after a whistleblower came forward last year, according to prosecutors.
This scandal adds to a series of corruption allegations involving the ruling African National Congress party, which is facing a crucial national election on May 29.
