S. Africa’s fmr. Speaker of Parliament granted bail

In the latest corruption scandal to hit the African National Congress party, former South African Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was arrested on Thursday on allegations of receiving approximately $135,000 in bribes.

Mapisa-Nqakula voluntarily surrendered to police in Pretoria and was later released on bail after appearing in court. She denies the charges, claiming they are politically motivated ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The allegations stem from her time as minister of defense, during which she allegedly received 11 cash payments from a defense contractor between 2016 and 2019. Following a raid on her home, Mapisa-Nqakula was informed that she would be charged with corruption and money laundering.

After resigning from her positions in parliament, she appeared in court where prosecutors did not oppose her request for bail. The case has been postponed to June 4, with plans to add another defendant.