Mapisa-Nqakula graft case postponed to March

Mapisa-Nqakula briefly appeared before the Pretoria High Court on Monday morning.

She has been charged with 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering, dating back to her term as minister of defence.

The allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula were made by well-known defence industry businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu - the sole director of the logistics company Umkhombe Marine.

The company did business with the South African National Defence Force, with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu claiming she paid bribes totalling some R2 million to Mapisa-Nqakula.

During her previous court appearance, Mapisa-Nqakula indicated she wanted to bring a substantive application to disclose the contents of the docket.

However, High Court Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba postponed the matter after the State and the defence agreed to discuss what could be disclosed in court.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the matter has been postponed to 28 March for the state and her legal representative to discuss her request for further disclosures following her application to have disclosures of “B” and “C” sections of the docket, which contain correspondence and the investigation diary.

"The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption 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.

"Her R50,000 bail was extended until the next court appearance."

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