Mapisa-Nqakula Denies Reports Of Arrest, Opposition Tables No-Confidence Motion

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has denied reports that she has been arrested on Friday and said she was at home after filing court papers challenging the recent search at her house. Several media outlets (SABC, eNCA, Newzroom Afrika, EWN, IOL) had earlier reported that she was detained after handing herself over to the police.

• “We can confirm that the Speaker and her family are at home and that she has had no interaction with the NPA ID since the Search and Seizure operation at her house on March 19,” Mapisa-Nqakula's spokesman said. “We can also confirm that this morning the Speaker has filed papers in court challenging the manner in which the search and seizure warrant was obtained and the operation itself."
• The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a formal request to remove Mapisa-Nqakula through a no-confidence vote. The party wants the motion debated before the house rises next week and has started to lobby other parties to back the initiative. A year ago, the Speaker survived a motion of no confidence brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).