South Africa: President of the National Assembly resigns
The President of the National Assembly will not see the end of the legislative year, while elections are scheduled for May 29. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula resigned after stepping aside to respond to suspicions of corruption. Justice accuses her of having accepted more than 100,000 euros in bribes between 2016 and 2019, when she was Minister of Defense. This member of the ruling party, the ANC, could be arrested in the coming days to be presented to a judge and indicted. His resignation should allow him to prepare his defense.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, on December 13, 2022 during a parliamentary session in Cape Town. AFP - GIANLUIGI GUERCIA
By: RFI Follow
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With our correspondent in Johannesburg
,
Romain Chanson
“
My resignation is in no way an admission of guilt
,” writes
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
in his farewell letter to the National Assembly, made public on Wednesday April 3. This executive of the African National Congress (ANC) is spared a dismissal procedure that the opposition demanded. The president says she wants to preserve the integrity of Parliament while she faces accusations of corruption. A business leader says she paid more than 100,000 euros to the former Minister of Defense to win a subcontracting contract.
“
I maintain my innocence
,” specifies Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who says he wants to clear his name. She fears being arrested by the police to be formally charged. His attempt to prevent an arrest by going to court failed. If she were indicted, she could also be removed from the ANC, according to an internal party rule.
Its secretary general praised her comrade's commitment to preserving the image of the party, by making the right decision. Two months before the elections, the ANC wants to show that it takes accusations of corruption seriously.
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