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Former South African Parliament Speaker Arrested in Corruption Probe
The ex-parliament speaker of South Africa was apprehended on Thursday as part of a corruption investigation, marking the latest scandal to rock the African National Congress (ANC) party just ahead of May’s elections.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who resigned from her speaker position on Wednesday, surrendered herself to police near Pretoria and was formally taken into custody, according to prosecutors.
Henry Mamothame, a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, stated that the ANC veteran was set to appear before a judge to face charges of corruption and money laundering.
“She’s appearing at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court,” Mamothame confirmed.
The timing of the arrest, occurring less than two months before the national elections, further compounds the challenges facing the ANC, which has been grappling with declining support in opinion polls amidst economic struggles and allegations of corruption within its ranks.
Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of soliciting substantial bribes from a former military contractor during her tenure as defense minister, allegations she vehemently denies.
In her resignation letter tendered on Wednesday, she maintained her innocence but expressed her decision to step down from her roles as speaker and lawmaker immediately to preserve the integrity of parliament and allow for a thorough investigation.
Following her resignation, the Democratic Alliance, the main opposition party, called for an urgent election of a new speaker.
Mapisa-Nqakula, who served as defense minister from 2014 to 2021 before assuming the speaker’s position, faced criticism for her handling of violent unrest during her tenure as minister.
South Africa’s upcoming national and provincial elections on May 29 are expected to pose a significant challenge for the ANC, potentially leading to a drop in its share of the vote below 50 percent for the first time since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994, which could necessitate forming a coalition government with rival parties to retain power.
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TCN Acknowledges 7th Grid Collapse in 2024
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
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Jigawa Tanker Tragedy: Shettima, First Lady Mourn Victims, Pledge Federal Support
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
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Nigeria Customs Intercepts Arms, Ammunition Worth N9.5bn Over Six Years
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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