National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has taken special leave following an investigation into alleged corruption during her tenure as the defence minister.
It is alleged that she received and solicited R2.3 million from a former military contractor.
This week the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigative Directorate and the Hawks raided her house in Bruma, east of Johannesburg as part of the corruption investigations.
The speaker has however denied any wrongdoing.
Her decision to take a special was announced in a statement by parliament.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations and the attendant extensive media speculations, I have decided to take special leave from my position as Speaker of the National Assembly, effective immediately,” read the statement.
She adds that as the speaker of the 6th Parliament of the Republic, “she holds the utmost respect for the legislative system and the laws of the nation, some of which she has been privileged to pass.”
Media reports suggest that the speaker is expected to hand herself over to the police in Pretoria this morning, before appearing and appear Special Commercial Crimes Court.
Mapisa-Nqakula however said she hasn’t received any formal communion from the law enforcement authorities.
“There has been no formal notification of an arrest warrant or communication regarding an imminent arrest for me, neither to my legal team.
“My lawyers have, however proactively informed the National Prosecuting Authority of my readiness to comply and cooperate should the need arise,” added the statement.
According to the statement, the speaker’s decision has been communicated to the Secretary of Parliament and President Cyril Ramaphosa as well as the African National Congress (ANC).
Mapisa Nqakula will also not be attending the long-planned 148th Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.
She is also not on the list of ANC members who will not be deployed to the National Assembly after the elections.