Speaker of the National Assembly resigns

Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has resigned from the position and as a Member of Parliament, effectively immediately.

Mapisa-Nqakula said she was doing so to protect the office and uphold the integrity of Parliament and so she could focus on the investigations launched against her by the country’s enforcement agencies.

“My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations levelled against me,” she said.

Mapisa-Nqakula has been accused of soliciting R2.3 million in bribes from contractors while she was minister of defence, with reports from the Sunday Times making the allegations public earlier in March, citing the contractor.

Her house was raided by the NPA last month, and reports of her imminent arrest have been making the rounds for weeks, including the alleged charge sheet against her, including 12 charges of corruption.

She initially stepped aside from the position, but multiple MPs and political parties called for her to resign.

“The position of Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa is critical in the reconstruction and development of our country.

“Given the seriousness of the much-publicised allegations against me, I cannot continue in this role.

“I believe that, at the right time, I will have the opportunity to thoroughly address these allegations as and when they have been formally brought against me in the appropriate forums, at which time I will clear my good name.

“I maintain my innocence and am determined to restore my good reputation,” she said.

Read: Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula steps aside with immediate effect