The Speaker of the South African National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has announced her decision to take an extraordinary leave of absence from her post in light of investigations into alleged corruption as Minister of Defense.

Mapisa-Nqakula informed President Cyril Ramaphosa, Parliamentary Secretary Xolile George and the ruling African National Congress party of his decision to take a leave of absence.

She justifies her personal decision by the need to protect the integrity of Parliament.

This means that he will not be attending the 148th session of the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland.

Corruption: South African parliament speaker's house searched

On Tuesday, Mapisa-Nqakula's home was raided by the National Authorities Investigation Directorate of the South African Public Prosecutor's Office in connection with alleged corruption during her tenure as Minister of Defense.

Although no formal arrest warrant has been issued, Mapisa-Nqakula has expressed his willingness to comply and cooperate with the authorities.