Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula denies corruption allegations

4th March 2024 By: Thabi Shomolekae - Creamer Media Senior Writer

Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula denies corruption allegations

National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Monday denied any involvement in alleged corrupt activities during her tenure as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of receiving bribes from a South African National Defence Force contractor, amounting to R2.3-million.

Parliament, on behalf of the Office of the Speaker, said Mapisa-Nqakula expressed deep concern about the allegations, including a purported affidavit by one of the department's former service providers.

“All of which she only learned about through the Sunday Times,” said Parliament.

The Speaker reaffirmed her commitment to fully cooperate with any formal investigation into these allegations.

Parliament said she also remained “steadfast in her conviction of innocence and her dedication to continue serving the public with honour and integrity”.

Parliament noted that Mapisa-Nqakula believes investigations of this nature must be conducted with diligence and respect for due process and, therefore, “finds the manner in which this purported investigation has been conducted and shared with the media highly objectionable”.

“Throughout her public service career, the Speaker has upheld the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct and has fiercely advocated against corruption, which she continued to regard as a direct threat to the principles of democracy and good governance,” Parliament said.