SA parliament speaker hands herself in to police – reports
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The speaker of South Africa’s parliament has turned herself in to the police amid an ongoing corruption investigation against her, according to local media.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula handed herself over to the Pretoria Central Police on Friday morning and is expected to appear in court later in the day, local reports say.
She is accused of soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts when she served as defence minister.
The reports do not make it clear whether or not she is under arrest.
Local media say she has filed urgent court papers to prevent authorities from detaining her.
State broadcaster SABC also reports that Ms Mapisa-Nqakula wants to step down from her position.
On Thursday, she announced that she was taking special leave from her role due to the “seriousness of the allegations,” a statement shared by parliament said.
Earlier this week, Ms Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home was raided by an elite police unit, who conducted a five-hour search.
She maintains her innocence and says she is co-operating with the investigators
