Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has opted for 'special leave', contradicting her lawyer regarding the likelihood of an imminent arrest
Despite Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula claiming ignorance of her anticipated arrest on charges of corruption and money laundering amounting to approximately R4 million, her lawyer Stephen May asserted that she would voluntarily surrender to the police.
Mapisa-Nqakula, while declaring "special leave" from her role as speaker of the National Assembly in a statement on Thursday night, professed no knowledge of her impending arrest.
However, her legal representative Stephen May informed the Mail & Guardian earlier that the former speaker would present herself to the authorities "in due course," although she was cognizant of the state's purportedly weak case against her.
"We are not seeking to evade the truth-seeking process. We harbor serious reservations about the timing and the substance of the state's case," May remarked on Thursday.
"It appears that the state's case is weak at best, and the timing of the charges may be opportunistic," he added. May's statements followed a report by the M&G suggesting that Mapisa-Nqakula is set to face charges of corruption and money laundering, allegedly involving bribes exceeding R4 million from a former contractor of the South African National Defence Force.
Nevertheless, the former speaker, acknowledging a search of her residence on Tuesday, maintained that there had been no formal notification or communication regarding an impending arrest for her or her legal team.
"However, my legal representatives have preemptively informed the National Prosecution Authority of my readiness to cooperate should the need arise," Mapisa-Nqakula affirmed.
Nevertheless, she acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and opted to step down from the speaker's position to safeguard the integrity of Parliament and uphold its esteemed reputation.
Mapisa-Nqakula, while declaring "special leave" from her role as speaker of the National Assembly in a statement on Thursday night, professed no knowledge of her impending arrest.
However, her legal representative Stephen May informed the Mail & Guardian earlier that the former speaker would present herself to the authorities "in due course," although she was cognizant of the state's purportedly weak case against her.
"We are not seeking to evade the truth-seeking process. We harbor serious reservations about the timing and the substance of the state's case," May remarked on Thursday.
"It appears that the state's case is weak at best, and the timing of the charges may be opportunistic," he added. May's statements followed a report by the M&G suggesting that Mapisa-Nqakula is set to face charges of corruption and money laundering, allegedly involving bribes exceeding R4 million from a former contractor of the South African National Defence Force.
Nevertheless, the former speaker, acknowledging a search of her residence on Tuesday, maintained that there had been no formal notification or communication regarding an impending arrest for her or her legal team.
"However, my legal representatives have preemptively informed the National Prosecution Authority of my readiness to cooperate should the need arise," Mapisa-Nqakula affirmed.
Nevertheless, she acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and opted to step down from the speaker's position to safeguard the integrity of Parliament and uphold its esteemed reputation.
