By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Prosecuting Authority says it will oppose an urgent application by the Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to interdict its investigative directorate from arresting her.
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 stand-off began last week following a raid at her house in Johannesburg by the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID).
Mapisa-Nqakula has since taken special leave and parliament said this was provided for in the rules of the National Assembly.
On Sunday the NPA said the urgent application will be heard in the high court on an urgent basis.
“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,” said NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.
Mapisa-Nqakula has denied allegations of corruption against her.
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.