Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula resigned from her position with immediate effect today. The corruption accused has also resigned as a Member of Parliament. Her resignation comes a day after the Pretoria High Court dismissed her bid to stop her arrest with costs

RESIGNATION NOT ADMISSION OF GUILT

In a statement addressed to the media, Mapisa,-Nqakula said that she has sent her resignation letter to acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli. "Today I have submitted to the acting Speaker my letter of resignation as both Speaker of the National Assembly and as the Member of the National Parliament of South Africa. The resignation is effective immediately. I have made this conscious decision in order to dedicate my time and focus to deal with the recently announced investigation against me by our country's law enforcement agencies," the letter reads. Mapisa-Nqakula said that her resignation is no way admission of guilt regarding the allegations levelled against her.

A DECISION MADE

In the statement, the former Speaker said that she made the decision in order to uphold the integrity and sanctity of our Parliament, adding that the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa is a critical in reconstruction and development of the country. "Given the much-publicised allegations against me, I cannot continuein this role. I believe that in the right time, I will have the opportunity to thoroughly address these allegations as and when they have been formally brought against me," she said. She took leave of absence last month after the Hawks raided her Johannesburg home after allegations of corruption against her. She is accused of soliciting more than R2.3 million in bribes and gratification in exchange for tender contracts when she was still the Minister of Defence. The contractor has since turned state witness.