Mapisa-Nqakula back in court for R4.5m corruption case

Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is expected back in the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday November 11 where she will continue to fight 13 criminal charges relating to allegations that she solicited R4.5 million in bribes from a defence contractor while serving as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

The State alleges that she solicited approximately R4.5 million from a service provider, of which R2.1 million was allegedly received in cash.

The alleged bribe was allegedly paid between 2016 and 2019 when Mapisa-Nqakula was serving as defence minister.

According to the State's case, the alleged payments were made by businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, a former defence contractor who has since become a State witness.

The alleged corrupt relationship began after a R104 million contract awarded to the businesswoman was suspended.

The State alleges that Mapisa-Nqakula subsequently met with the contractor on several occasions and solicited payments in exchange for assistance relating to her business dealings with the department of defence.

The allegations include 11 payments between December 2016 and July 2019.

The investigation into Mapisa-Nqakula became public in March 2024 when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) conducted a search and seizure operation at her Bruma residence, east of Joburg.

The search lasted several hours and was linked to allegations of corruption during her tenure as defence minister.

Mapisa-Nqakula subsequently approached the high court in an attempt to prevent her arrest, but the application was unsuccessful.

She handed herself over to police on April 4, 2024, and appeared in court, where she was charged and granted bail of R50 000.

She resigned as Speaker of the National Assembly and relinquished her parliamentary seat shortly before her court appearance.

Mapisa-Nqakula has consistently denied wrongdoing.

Her trial has since progressed through several stages, including arguments over the sufficiency of the State's evidence.

In September 2026, the Pretoria High Court dismissed her application in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, in which she sought to be discharged without being called upon to present her defence.

Judge Mashudu Munzhelele ruled that there was a prima facie case for her to answer.

Following the dismissal, Mapisa-Nqakula opted to take the stand, with her defence attorney leading her evidence.

The matter is now scheduled to continue on November 11 as the State and defence proceed with the trial.