Mapisa-Nqakula pleads not guilty at start of corruption trial
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has pleaded not guilty to corruption and money laundering charges linked to alleged defence contract kickbacks, with the High Court trial now underway in Pretoria.
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering in the High Court in Pretoria.
The ANC politician’s trial began on Wednesday, more than two years after she handed herself over to the police.
Mapisa-Nqakula is charged with 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering, dating back to her term as Minister of Defence, when she is alleged to have taken kickbacks.
The charges relate to her time as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, during which she allegedly solicited and received R4.5 million in kickbacks from a defence contractor.
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The allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula were made by well-known defence industry businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who is the sole director of the logistics company Umkhombe Marine.
The company did business with the South African National Defence Force.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu claimed she paid bribes totalling some R2 million to Mapisa-Nqakula.
Mapisa-Nqakula denies receiving cash, while key witness, contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, is expected to testify after being granted indemnity.
Mapisa-Nqakula has been out on R50, 000 bail since April 2024.
She resigned from the National Assembly after being charged, saying it was to protect the integrity of Parliament.
