By: Natasha Archary

Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faces mounting pressure to resign after allegations she accepted R2.3 million in bribes.
The allegations reportedly took place between November 2016 and July 2019, while Mapisa-Nqakula occupied the role of Defence Minister.
Amongst the allegations Mapisa-Nqakula faces, is the 70% salary increase that she now needs to explain authorizing for Parliament’s Secretary, Xolile George.
George’s annual salary increased from R2.6 million to R4.4 million in less than a year, which meant he earned more than President Cyril Ramaphosa following his appointment in June 2022.
Over R2.3 million in bribe money
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly solicited and received 10 cash payments, amounting to R2.3 million, which was reportedly delivered by defence industry businesswoman, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu is the wife of a general in the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) military health service.
Using code words such as “wigs”, and “snuff” instead of money, the list of payments included:
- R200 000 which was withdrawn from an FNB in Fourways in July 2017 and taken to Mapisa-Nqakula’s home in Bruma
- In November 2017, Mapisa-Nqakula reportedly took R150 000 from her home safe to pay for a nurse who was taking care of her father
- R250 000 was reportedly given to Mapisa-Nqakula in August 2018 at a military spouses forum
- Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly also accepted R150 000 in Dollars which was reportedly exchanged on the black market, and given to her in a Ted Baker handbag
The list of illicit payments is extensive, and Parliament has given the Speaker until this week to respond to the allegations.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa is one of many political leaders calling for Mapisa-Nqakula’s resignation, or for the Speaker to face Parliament’s impeachment process.
Holomisa, who unpacked his party manifesto on Tuesday, 05 March also addressed the investigation into Mapisa-Nqakula, which he said was concluded in 2023.



