By Rorisang Modiba
The home of Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula, the Speaker of the National Assembly, was raided by the Hawks on Tuesday after allegations of corruption were lodged against her.
The Hawks searched Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home on behalf of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigative Directorate. She was reportedly not home during the raid.Â
An investigation is underway regarding allegations that Mapisa-Nqakula received more than R2.3-million in cash from a former military contractor, BusinessLive reported. The Speaker served as minister of defence and military veterans for several years until 2021, when she assumed her current post.
Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly took cash from army supplier Umkhombe Marine, owned by Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu faced arrest for alleged fraud in 2020 but the charges were later dropped and she has since become a state witness against Mapisa-Nqakula.
The ongoing investigation has reached an advanced stage, with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu accusing Mapisa-Nqakula of demanding cash through various means, including coded messages, with payments allegedly made in cash-filled gift bags.
Despite these allegations, Mapisa-Nqakula has not been formally charged but acknowledges the ongoing investigation. She also concedes that she knows Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
Pictured above: Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula.
Image source: Parliament of South Africa
