Local media reports, has it that, the Speaker of South Africa’s Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has voluntarily presented herself to the Pretoria Central Police as part of an ongoing corruption investigation against her.
Sources suggest that Mapisa-Nqakula arrived at the police station on Friday morning and is anticipated to make a court appearance later in the day.
The allegations against her involve accusations of soliciting bribes in exchange for the awarding of contracts during her tenure as Defence Minister.
Although it remains unclear whether she has been formally arrested, reports indicate that she has submitted urgent court documents to prevent potential detention.
State broadcaster SABC has also reported that Mapisa-Nqakula is contemplating resigning from her position.
Earlier, in response to the severity of the allegations, she announced her decision to take special leave from her parliamentary duties, as stated in an official communication from the parliament.
This development follows a recent raid conducted by an elite police unit at Mapisa-Nqakula’s residence in Johannesburg, during which a thorough search lasting five hours was conducted.
Despite the accusations, Mapisa-Nqakula asserts her innocence and asserts that she is fully cooperating with the investigative process.