Parliament’s Joint Defence Portfolio Committee has called Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to appear before it to respond to allegations of corruption.
Mapisa-Nqakula is alleged to have received gifts and cash to the value of R5 million from a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) supplier.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa brought the allegations to the attention of the committee, saying a whistle-blower presented them to him.
Mapisa-Nqakula has written to the committee denying the allegations.
However, Committee Co-chairperson Elleck Nchabeleng says they need more information from the Minister and the whistle-blower.
“First engage and get time to engage the minister so we can get her responses and then we can ask questions. We need info from the whistle-blower, like a statement or an affidavit, at least we know someone has written something to us. We need something tangible from this person.”
VIDEO: Holomisa implicates Minister Mapisa-Nqakula in a R5 million scandal:
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The party says she must also be suspended without compensation pending the outcome of the investigation.
DA Shadow Defence Minister Kobus Marais says a dossier of evidence has been submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, detailing at least five instances where doubt can be cast over Mapisa-Nqakula’s actions.
