The President of the National Assembly is under investigation for corruption. Earlier this week, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s home was raided. This development comes as a blow to the ANC, the ruling party, amidst ongoing election campaigning.
Even though the President of the National Assembly maintains her innocence and claims to be cooperating with the police, the announcement of the raid on her residence is likely to embarrass her party, the ANC, which holds the majority in Parliament, just two months before the general elections.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is suspected of receiving bribes during her tenure as Minister of Defense. In exchange for money, she allegedly awarded a contract to a subcontractor of the Ministry of Defense. A businesswoman claims to have paid the minister over 100,000 euros between 2016 and 2019. The case was first revealed in 2021 but has now taken a new turn.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s lavish lifestyle during her time as Minister of Defense had previously been scrutinized by a member of parliament, who sought explanations for her stays in luxury hotels and travels by private jet.
Suspicions of Corruption within the ANC
This latest development serves as another reminder that corruption is not a distant memory within the ANC, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise of a new era. The ANC’s list of candidates for the upcoming elections includes several ministers implicated in the Zondo anti-corruption commission report.
One such figure is Dipuo Peters. The Minister Delegate for Small Businesses is currently suspended for violating the ethical code of conduct during her tenure as Minister of Transport. However, within the ANC, suspicions of corruption are not enough to end a political career. That power lies with the voters, who will cast their ballots on May 29th.