Corruption Case Against Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Faces Further Delays
The corruption case involving former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula continues to drag on in the Pretoria High Court, as the matter remains far from being trial-ready. The delays have sparked growing frustration from both legal officials and the public, especially given the gravity of the allegations.
Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of receiving bribes totaling R4.5 million from a defence contractor during her tenure as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. She faces multiple charges of corruption and money laundering, yet a formal trial date remains elusive.
The corruption charges stem from claims that Mapisa-Nqakula solicited and accepted payments from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu in exchange for securing tenders and contracts with the Department of Defence. The alleged transactions reportedly took place between 2016 and 2019.
Corruption Allegations Continue to Haunt Former Defence Minister
The matter was initially heard in the Pretoria Magistrates Court but was transferred to the High Court over eight months ago for trial proceedings. Despite this, the case has stalled due to incomplete disclosures and outstanding documentation from both the State and the defence.
On Friday, 20 June 2025, Mapisa-Nqakula appeared briefly in the Pretoria High Court, where the presiding officer, Judge Mokhine Mosopa, expressed concern over the lack of progress. Judge Mosopa remarked that the case appears to be “regressing,” especially given that full disclosure has not yet been made by the State.
The court heard that crucial documents have not been handed over, prompting further delays in the trial process. As a result, the judge postponed the case to 18 August 2025, expecting a progress report on the status of the disclosures.
Advocate Makhi Nogaga, representing Mapisa-Nqakula, told the court that the defence intends to file additional disclosure applications. These include a request for the full bank records of the State’s primary witness, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who is central to the corruption allegations.
Nogaga argued that the financial records are critical to their case, particularly in determining the legitimacy of the witness’s claims. “If I can make an example of the items that we require, we do not have the full bank details of the complainant, which is relevant to the matter,” he said.
The State has yet to confirm whether it will comply with the request, but the back-and-forth over documentation continues to hamper the start of the trial.
The delay in bringing Mapisa-Nqakula to trial has ignited public criticism, with many South Africans questioning the effectiveness of the justice system in handling high-profile corruption cases. Civil society groups have raised alarms over the slow pace of justice and the lack of accountability for public officials implicated in financial misconduct.
Mapisa-Nqakula, once a prominent figure in South Africa’s ruling party, has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. However, the seriousness of the charges—combined with the drawn-out legal process—has put a spotlight on systemic issues within the country’s efforts to combat corruption.
With the next court appearance scheduled for August, it remains unclear when the trial will officially commence. The court is expected to receive updates on the progress of the disclosure process, but if history is any guide, the delays could persist for months.
In the meantime, the spotlight remains firmly on Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, whose political legacy is now overshadowed by accusations of corruption and abuse of public trust.
As South Africa continues to grapple with endemic corruption, this case stands as a test of the nation’s ability to hold powerful individuals accountable. The public will be watching closely to see whether justice is ultimately served—or delayed indefinitely.
Source- EWN
