Former South African National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was released on bail by a court in Pretoria on Thursday, shortly after charges were announced against her.
Ms. Mapisa-Nqakula denied any wrongdoing. However, South Africa prosecutors had accused her of corruption and money laundering the day after she resigned amid allegations of graft during her tenure as defence minister.
As a result, investigators raided her home last month as part of the probe.
Ms. Mapisa-Nqakula, 67, also stepped down from parliament on Wednesday. Lead prosecutor Bheki Manyathi informed the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court that she faced 12 corruption charges and one count of money laundering.
“The court is satisfied that the amount initially suggested (for bail) of 50,000 rand ($2,678) is adequate in this matter,” Magistrate Anna Oosthuizen said in a ruling.
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As part of bail conditions, Ms Mapisa-Nqakula must surrender her passport.
The case was adjourned until June 4.
In an affidavit before the ruling, a lawyer for Ms. Mapisa-Nqakula argued that the former speaker was not a flight risk and that she voluntarily had come to court.
Ms. Mapisa-Nqakula, earlier this week, lost a court bid to prevent authorities from arresting her. She handed herself over to police earlier on Thursday before appearing in court.
A veteran of the governing African National Congress who was defence minister from 2012 to 2021, Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of receiving millions of rand in cash as bribes from a former military contractor.
“My resignation is in no way an indication or admission of guilt regarding the allegations being levelled against me,” she said earlier on Wednesday.
Prosecutors have not publicly disclosed the details surrounding the allegations or evidence against her. They did not object to her bail.
