South Africa’s parliament speaker resigns over accusations of bribery

Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (Rodger Bosch/pool photo via AP)

South Africa’s parliament speaker has resigned and relinquished her seat in the legislature over allegations of corruption, a day after she lost a bid in court that would block her arrest.

Prosecutors last week said they intend to charge Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula with corruption, accusing her of receiving about 135,000 dollars in bribes from a defence contractor during her three years as defence minister.