Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula faces corruption trial over alleged R4.5 million bribe

Former South African Parliament speaker and ex‑Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula is on trial in Pretoria on 12 corruption counts and one money‑laundering charge. The State alleges she received about R4.5 million from logistics company director Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu while serving as defence minister between December 2016 and July 2019.

During proceedings in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Judge Mashudu Munzhelele questioned Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu about why she made the payments if no favours were expected, probing whether the funds were charity, a personal favour, or something else. The defence highlighted inconsistencies between Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s testimony and a letter from UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, including alleged payments that do not appear in Holomisa’s correspondence.

Mapisa‑Nqakula has denied soliciting or receiving any bribes, asserting she had no involvement in the defence procurement process. The witness testified under an indemnity agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).