National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula has taken special leave from her duties.

She notes that this will ensure the integrity of Parliament as she deals with allegations of corruption. Her home was raided by the NPA’s Investigative Directorate. Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts when she served as South Africa’s defence minister.

She has maintained her innocence, while saying that she will cooperate fully with the investigation. The Speaker was meant to attend the 148th Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly taking place in Geneva, Switzerland. She will, however, remain in the country as the investigation into her conduct continues