South Africa former speaker charged with corruption and money laundering, granted bail

On Thursday South Africa prosecutor charged former Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula with corruption and money laundering, a day after she resigned.

Mapisa –Nqakula was granted bail by court in Capital Pretoria soon after the charges were made public.

Meanwhile Mapisa-Nqakula has denied any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday Mapisa-Nqakula resigned as a member of parliament and her residence was raided by investigators last month as part of the inquiry.

Prosecutor Bheki Manyathi told Pretoria Magistrates Court that Mapisa –Nqakula was being charged with 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering.

Magistrate Anna Oosthuizen during the ruling said the court is satisfied that the amount initially suggested (for bail) of 50,000 rand ($2,678) is adequate in this matter. Mapisa-Nqakula must surrender her passport as part of bail conditions.

A lawyer for Mapisa-Nqakula before the ruling argued that the former speaker was not a flight risk and that she voluntarily had come to court.

Earlier this week Mapisa-Nqakula lost a court bid to prevent authorities from arresting her. She handed herself over to police earlier Thursday before appearing in court.

Mapisa-Nqakula is being accused of receiving millions of rand in cash as bribes from a former military of rand in cash as bribes from a former military contractor. She was a veteran of govering African National Congress who was defence minister from 2012 to 2021.

Her resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against her, Mapisa-Nqakula said this Wednesday.

Mapisa-Nqakula case will be back in court on June 4.

Prosecutors have not publicly disclosed the details surrounding the allegations or evidence against her. They did not object to her bail.

Source: Reuters.