The corruption and money laundering case against former Minister of Defence and ex-Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been adjourned to March 28, 2025, by the Pretoria High Court. This follows her legal team’s application to access additional State documents for her defense.
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering, stemming from alleged misconduct during her tenure as Minister of Defence between 2016 and 2019. According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), she is accused of soliciting and receiving approximately R4.5 million from Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, a service provider to the Department of Defence. Of this amount, R2.1 million was reportedly received in cash.
Request for State Disclosures
Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the IDAC, explained that Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team requested access to additional sections of the State docket.
“Her legal representative made an application to have disclosures of ‘B’ and ‘C’ sections of the docket, which contain correspondence and the investigation diary, respectively,” Mamothame stated.
The adjournment aims to allow the State and Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team to discuss the request and narrow the issues for trial preparation.
Bail and Indictment Details
Mapisa-Nqakula, who has been out on R50,000 bail since her arrest in April 2024, will remain free on the same conditions until the next court appearance.
The indictment includes 26 witnesses, with high-profile names such as United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader and current Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, General Bantu Holomisa, listed as potential witnesses for the State.
Background of the Charges
The allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula involve her tenure as Defence Minister, during which she allegedly engaged in corrupt activities linked to service contracts within her department. Her association with Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s company forms the basis of the case.
The IDAC reiterated its commitment to expediting the trial.
“The IDAC followed this approach in the interest of justice, in a sincere attempt to narrow the facts at issue and to move the matter to trial as soon as possible,” Mamothame added.
Next Steps
With the adjournment, both the State and defense aim to resolve outstanding issues in preparation for the trial. This will mark a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings as the court considers whether the evidence presented will lead to a full trial.
