SA Gov
The National Prosecuting Authority says it will oppose an urgent application by the Speaker of Parliament to interdict its investigative directorate from arresting her.
News of the pending arrest of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula broke late last week after the ID raided her Johannesburg home and the Speaker taking “special leave.”
The state is alleging that she had solicited and received bribes amounting to R2.3 million from a defence contractor when she was still Minister of Defence.
The Democratic Alliance tabled a motion of no confidence in the Speaker in the National Assembly, with the chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, calling on Mapisa-Nqakula to resign.
"We will be writing to all political parties represented in Parliament to support our motion for the removal of the Speaker in terms of Section 52(4) of the Constitution.
"The rules of Parliament do not make provision for ‘special leave’ taken by a member by a unilateral decision. A special leave is only granted by a full sitting of the House; through a formal motion that is adopted in terms of rule 36(2) of the National Assembly rules," Gwarube said.
NPA national spokesperson, Advocate Mthunzu Mhaga, said the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria will hear an urgent application on Monday by the Speaker of Parliament.
“She is seeking an order interdicting NPA's ID from arresting her.
“The NPA's ID will oppose the application as we believe it is baseless and has no merit,” Mhaga said.
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