Mapisa-Nqakula disputes alleged bearskin purchase in Russia during court proceedings

Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has disputed an allegation that she purchased a bearskin in Russia, telling the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that she did not bring such an item into South Africa.

The allegation was raised during proceedings on Wednesday, as part of the continued cross-examination in her corruption and money laundering trial.

"There is no such," Mapisa-Nqakula said, denying the alleged purchase.

She added that she had not entered South Africa with a bearskin and maintained that Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu knew this.

The discussion also turned to Mapisa-Nqakula's use of a diplomatic passport and the security procedures she encountered when travelling internationally.

She said travellers could undergo extensive searches in certain countries, sometimes being required to remove their shoes and belts.

"You are searched up to an extent that you even have to take off your shoes as well as your belt," she said.

Mapisa-Nqakula added that some countries placed particular emphasis on what travellers declared upon arrival.

She cited Dubai as an example, saying travellers needed to be careful about the items they carried when entering the country.

The court also heard further discussion about Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's farm in Delmas, which Mapisa-Nqakula said had featured in conversations between them.

Counsel questioned whether Mapisa-Nqakula had investigated Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's financial position or attempted to establish her net worth.

She said she had no reason to investigate how much money Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu had and had never attempted to establish her financial worth.

During the proceedings, Mapisa-Nqakula also reflected on the spiritual journeys she and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu had experienced.

She spoke about the challenges and difficulties they had faced individually, explaining that Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's experiences had particularly struck her when they met.

She described how a person's spiritual journey could influence their personal development.

"Could either break you or build you and make you a better person," she said.

The court also heard about Mapisa-Nqakula's property, which she said she had purchased in 2004.

She explained that the house was large and that she had subsequently closed off part of it, which included a staircase.

Throughout the proceedings, Mapisa-Nqakula continued to deny the allegations against her across all 12 counts, maintaining that she had not received money from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu to finance renovations at her home.

The trial was postponed to Friday after the court was informed that witnesses were unavailable to testify on Wednesday and Thursday.