Cape Town – National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s urgent court application to prevent her arrest on corruption charges has been dismissed by the Gauteng High Court.
[BREAKING NEWS] The High Court in Pretoria has dismissed Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s attempt to halt her arrest.
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Judge Sulet Potterill ruled that the case wasn’t urgent as the state had indicated it wouldn’t oppose bail, and arrest without detention isn’t a basis for urgency, The Citizen reported.
The judgment emphasised that emotional pleas couldn’t substitute factual evidence.
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 corruption charges and one money laundering charge related to R4.5 million from her time as defence minister.
She claimed her arrest was imminent, but the court ruled against her, ordering her to pay costs.
Pretoria High Court to rule on Mapisa-Nqakula’s arrest interdict
Cape Town – The Pretoria High Court is set to deliver a verdict on Tuesday regarding an interdict sought by Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to prevent her arrest.
According to reports, Mapisa-Nqakula approached the court after facing corruption-related charges and was expected to surrender herself for arrest.
According to The Citizen, the speaker is requesting that the High Court instruct law enforcement agencies to issue a court summons for her appearance instead of arresting her on April 3, as her lawyer Stephen May will be available on that date.
Mapisa-Nqakula is expected to answer to charges including 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering, totaling R4.5 million, which allegedly occurred during her tenure as defence minister, the report said.
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Following a raid conducted by the Hawks at her residence in Johannesburg last month, it was anticipated that she would voluntarily surrender herself to the police.
Despite taking special leave following news of the impending arrest, Mapisa-Nqakula has refused to surrender until the State hands over the case docket to her lawyers, claiming innocence and arguing that her dignity and reputation are under attack, EWN reported.
She accuses the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of employing apartheid-era tactics and leaking case information to the media.
However, the State opposes her application, arguing that she cannot evade arrest and fulfilling her demands would set a dangerous precedent, the report said.
While not opposing bail, the State maintains that Mapisa-Nqakula should face trial as an accused individual.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
