The corruption trial of former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been postponed to 16 September after she failed to appear in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday due to ill-health.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s lawyer, Siyabulela Mapoma, submitted a medical certificate to the court confirming that his client was unable to attend proceedings. The postponement follows an incident on Wednesday when the former minister fell ill while giving testimony on the witness stand.
Her legal representative, Makhi Nogaga, told the court that Mapisa-Nqakula was suffering from exhaustion due to the intensity and length of the trial, which started on 20 July. She received medical attention immediately after the court adjourned on Wednesday.
The court granted the postponement and extended her bail conditions. A warrant of arrest has been authorised but will be held over until the new trial date.
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Trial background and charges
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The state alleges that she solicited R4,5 million in bribes from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019, while serving as minister of defence and military veterans. Of this amount, prosecutors claim she received R2,1 million in cash.
The court dismissed Mapisa-Nqakula’s section 174 application for discharge this week, ruling that the state had established a prima facie case against her. The application had sought to have the charges dropped.
During her testimony before falling ill, Mapisa-Nqakula has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Court proceedings have included examination of personal banking records and messages between the former minister and the contractor.
The trial will resume on 16 September when Mapisa-Nqakula is expected to continue her testimony.
