THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has raided the home of the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga confirmed the search and seizure on Tuesday, 19 March.
"The National Prosecuting Authority's ID (Investigating Directorate) confirms that a search and seizure operation was carried out at the home of the Speaker of Parliament Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula by members of the ID on 19 March 2024 relating to an investigation against her. The NPA's ID will not be making any further comment on the matter," said Mhaga.
Mapisa-Nqakula is embroiled in allegations of taking bribes totalling R2,3 million.
The bribery allegedly took place when she was the minister of defence.
The Sunday Times reported that Mapisa-Nqakula was named in an affidavit submitted to the Investigative Directorate (ID) by the owner of Umkhombe Marine, Nombasa Ntsodwa-Ndlovu, a company responsible for transporting SANDF cargo for military operations.
She has since denied the allegations.
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Her office confirmed that her house was searched by the ID in connection with the bribery allegations and said she was co-operating with investigators.
“Parliament wishes to confirm that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) this morning conducted a search and seizure procedure at the residence of the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. This operation is linked to the agency's widely publicised investigation into alleged corruption reportedly involving the Speaker's tenure as minister of defence and military veterans,” said spokesman Moloto Mothapo.
The EFF has called for the immediate removal of Mapisa-Nqakula following allegations of corruption, saying it wanted her to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Mothapo said the morning's events had disrupted the Speaker's parliamentary schedule, including her role in presiding over President Cyril Ramaphosa's question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
He said: "In line with this, she has welcomed the investigators into her home and co-operated fully during the extensive search, which lasted over five hours.
"Corruption poses a significant threat to the principles of democracy and good governance and is fundamentally at odds with everything the Speaker represents. She is, therefore, deeply disturbed by such allegations."
