Threat of arrest looms as Mapisa-Nqakula denies agreeing to corruption charges court appearance

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has rebutted allegations from the Investigating Directorate (ID) that she consented to appear in court on corruption charges. Mapisa-Nqakula claimed that the State orchestrated the charges as a publicity stunt to humiliate her. This strategy, she felt, was an attempt to influence public opinion just prior to national elections and potentially trigger the African National Congress’s ‘step-aside’ rule, which would smack of an abuse of process.

The filings with the court made by Mapisa-Nqakula further pointed to the State representatives as the orchestrators of this slander and manipulation. Their aim, she alleged, was to charge her and tarnish her reputation amidst the media spectacle that the allegations have inevitably invited, and thereby gain some political advantage.

On the other hand, Bheki Manyathi, the deputy director of ID, vehemently countered Mapisa-Nqakula’s allegations. Writing to her attorney, Stephen May, on Wednesday, Manyathi asserted that the State was merely performing its regular duties with respect to the high-profile bribery case against Mapisa-Nqakula, who is the former defence minister.

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