IN a significant legal development, the Pretoria High Court in South Africa has denied an urgent court application by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula seeking to evade potential arrest amid corruption allegations.
High Court Judge Sulet Potterill delivered the ruling, deeming Mapisa-Nqakula’s case weak and non-urgent. Judge Potterill expressed concerns about the precedent that granting such relief could set for other suspects, emphasising that Mapisa-Nqakula had already been given an opportunity to surrender to the authorities, a privilege seldom extended to accused individuals.
The corruption allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula stem from accusations of accepting bribes from contractors totalling 4.5 million rand (about $239,294) during her tenure as defende minister, charges vehemently denied by the 67-year-old speaker.
Mapisa-Nqakula assumed the role of speaker in 2021 after nearly a decade as the defence chief. Last month, her residence in Johannesburg was subjected to a search by an elite police unit in pursuit of evidence related to the alleged corruption.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Mapisa-Nqakula took special leave from her position as speaker last week, citing the imperative of safeguarding the integrity of parliament and its constitutional responsibilities.
While the speaker has previously insinuated that the accusations against her are politically motivated, the National Prosecuting Authority maintains that the matter is purely legal in nature.
The court’s decision underscores the ongoing legal saga surrounding Mapisa-Nqakula and highlights the complexities surrounding corruption allegations involving high-ranking officials in South Africa.