The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has undertaken a search and seizure operation at the home of National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who has been accused of corrupt activities during her tenure as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

In a statement on Tuesday, Parliament confirmed the investigation and said Mapisa-Nqakula’s commitment to public service with “honour and integrity” was unwavering.

It is alleged that Mapisa-Nqakula took bribes totalling R2.3-million from a South African National Defence Force contractor.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) approached Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests to ask for an investigation into the allegations.

“The Speaker steadfastly upholds her strong conviction of innocence, and reaffirms that she has nothing to hide. In line with this, she has welcomed investigators into her home, cooperating fully during the extensive search that lasted over five hours,” Parliament said.

It added that Mapisa-Nqakula was “profoundly disturbed” by the allegations as it contradicts what she represents.

Parliament noted that Mapisa-Nqakula’s diary and engagements in the National Assembly were disturbed as a result of the search.

Meanwhile, the DA is calling for Mapisa-Nqakula to step down as Speaker, in light of the investigation.

"Ultimately, as the head of the legislature in South Africa, the Speaker holds a position of great responsibility. The Rules of Parliament envision that the Speaker is someone who “upholds the dignity and good name of the House. Having one’s home raided due to corruption allegations of this serious nature defy the very essence of this requirement by the Rules. To retain public trust in the institution, Mapisa-Nqakula must step down. She cannot be entrusted with this high office," said DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube.

She added that the allegations raised doubts about Mapisa-Nqakula's ability to fill her role as Speaker and added that her presence in office undermined the integrity of the legislative institution.

ActionSA said it was not "holding its breath" for the outcome of the investigation and said asking Mapisa-Nqakula to step aside was "futile".

"The reason for this sceptical attitude is the fact that we’ve seen all too many examples of senior ANC [African National Congress] office bearers being implicated in fraud, corruption, bribery and impropriety with no consequences. Calling for her to abide by the ANC’s own compromised “step aside” policy is absolutely futile because their parliamentary and legislature lists are all jam-packed with comrades that have had to step aside yet they are being presented for re-election," said ActionSA Team FixSA Member: Leader of Executive Business Athol Trollip.

He warned that in the next administration, ActionSA would have the numbers to oppose the appointments of anyone implicated in corruption.

"We are going to Fix SA by ridding our country of such compromised leadership and we believe that the electorate will also punish the ANC for their lack of respect for our constitutional and legislative provisions not to mention the Executive Members’ Ethics Act. South Africa deserves to have better and more ethical leaders," he said.