SA Speaker takes special leave following corruption allegations

Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says that “given the seriousness of allegations [made against her] and the attendant extensive media speculation, [she] has decided to take special leave [from her role]”. News24 reports that the move comes after heavy backlash following the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate’s raid at her Johannesburg home, linked to a probe into alleged corruption during her time as defence minister.