South Africa’s former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has handed herself over to the police.

Mapisa-Nqakula resigned on Wednesday after police raided her home during a corruption investigation.

This came after a court on Tuesday dismissed her bid to block police and prosecutors from arresting her.

Ms Mapisa-Nqakula, who is a senior member of the ruling African National Congress party, is accused of soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts during her time as defence minister.

She has denied the charges and said her resignation was “in no way an indication or admission of guilt”.

According to her, given the “seriousness” of the probe, she couldn’t continue her role.

The 67-year-old veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle served as defence minister for seven years before she became speaker in 2021.

It is alleged that she solicited and received R2.3 million (about $120,000) in bribes.