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Pretoria, South Africa - In a significant development within South African politics, former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, was granted bail after surrendering to Pretoria police over bribery charges.

The arrest highlights ongoing corruption issues within the African National Congress (ANC) as the nation gears up for forthcoming elections.

Mapisa-Nqakula, accused of accepting roughly $135,000 in bribes from a defense contractor during her tenure as Defence Minister (2016-2019), firmly denies the allegations, citing political motives. Following a raid on her Johannesburg residence, she faces 12 charges of corruption and money laundering.

Read also:South Africa's Parliament Speaker Steps Down Amid Corruption Allegations

Despite resigning from her parliamentary positions, Mapisa-Nqakula contends her commitment to facing trial, emphasizing the personal losses at stake, including her state pension and family connections.

With the prosecutors not contesting her bail, set at 50,000 rand ($2,670), the case is now adjourned to June 4, with expectations of additional defendants joining.