Opposition parties demand ‘swift action’ against Mapisa-Nqakula over bribery claims

Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of taking bribes totalling R2.3 million from SANDF contractors during her tenure as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

She has since issued a statement through her office in Parliament denying any involvement in corruption.

Mapisa-Nqakula also committed to cooperating with any formal investigation.

But opposition MPs are concerned that the matter is not receiving the necessary attention.

EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi raised the issue at a meeting of Parliament’s programming committee on Thursday.

Acting Speaker Cedric Frolick confirmed the ethics committee will address the matter.

"The matter will be dealt with after the parliamentary programme, and no substance of discussions will be entertained and discussed because all of us will be in breach of the code of ethics," he said.

But Mkhaliphi insisted that the issue be addressed at the committee meeting.

"Chair, I want to caution you for not wanting to dictate to us how to run this programming meeting. We want to raise issues here that we think are important, especially because the committee must now be presided over by a speaker with serious corruption allegations," says Mkhaliphi.

 The Democratic Alliance (DA)  has also vowed to lodge a formal complaint with the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.

"The integrity of our parliamentary institutions must be safeguarded, and those found guilty of corrupt activities must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said the party's chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube.

Mapisa-Nqakula is currently attending the 2024 Women Speakers’ Summit in France.

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