Mapisa-Nqakula takes legal action following home raid by NPA
Parliament has officially refuted circulating media claims that National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faced arrest and was due in Pretoria’s Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. This clarification came after reports suggested an imminent legal battle for the Speaker, stemming from a recent search and seizure operation at her home by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate.
On Tuesday, 19th March 2024, authorities executed a search and seizure warrant at Mapisa-Nqakula’s residence, sparking widespread speculation about her legal standing. Despite these actions, Parliament’s recent statement confirms that Mapisa-Nqakula and her family remain at home, without any direct engagement with the NPA since the operation.
The scrutiny intensified when Mapisa-Nqakula, facing allegations of corruption, declared she would take ‘special leave’ from her duties on Thursday, 21st March. In response to the allegations and the raid, she has lodged a legal challenge against the manner in which the warrant was issued and executed. Her main contention lies with the lack of access to the affidavit that justified the search, alleging that investigators entered her premises without consent.
Through court filings, Mapisa-Nqakula is demanding full disclosure of all evidence against her to mount a defence. She argues that while information about her case has been shared with the media, she remains in the dark about the specific charges and evidence gathered by the prosecution.
Amid the unfolding legal drama, Mapisa-Nqakula is also seeking a court order to prevent her arrest, suggesting that any legal proceedings against her should proceed through a summons to court, rather than detention. She emphasizes her status and health concerns as reasons to avoid immediate incarceration, highlighting the potential risks to her well-being.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal troubles stem from allegations that, during her tenure as Minister of Defence from 2016 to 2019, she received over R2.3 million in bribes, including ten cash payments from an undisclosed whistleblower. The payments are linked to Umkhombe Marine, a contractor for the South African National Defence Force, accused of facilitating these illicit transactions.
Despite the dramatic raid and the swirling rumours of her arrest, Mapisa-Nqakula maintains her innocence. She insists that no formal notification of an arrest warrant has been issued against her, nor has there been any direct communication about an impending arrest. Through her legal team, she has expressed a willingness to cooperate with authorities, should they require her participation in the investigation.
As the situation unfolds, the legal and political ramifications for one of South Africa’s highest-ranking officials remain under intense scrutiny. The coming days are expected to bring further developments in this high-profile case.
