Former South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has returned to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria as her corruption and money-laundering trial resumes.
Mapisa-Nqakula, who is also a former Speaker of the National Assembly, is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering arising from allegations linked to her tenure as Defence Minister between 2016 and 2019.
The State alleges that she solicited about R4.5 million from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, with approximately R2.1 million allegedly paid in cash. Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who was linked to an SANDF logistics contract, has testified as a key State witness.
The former minister has denied the allegations and told the court that she never demanded or received bribes from the contractor. Her testimony has focused, among other issues, on her relationship with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, financial transactions and WhatsApp exchanges between them.
The latest proceedings come after the High Court earlier dismissed Mapisa-Nqakula’s application for a discharge under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Judge Mashudu Munzhelele ruled that the State had established a prima facie case, meaning the evidence presented was sufficient for her to be called upon to answer the allegations. The ruling was not a finding of guilt.
The trial was briefly adjourned last week after Mapisa-Nqakula became ill while testifying and was unable to return to court the following day. Proceedings were subsequently scheduled to resume on 16 September 2026.
As she returns to the witness stand, the court is expected to continue examining her account of the alleged payments, financial records and communications with the contractor.
Mapisa-Nqakula remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
