Former defence and military veterans minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has testified in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that she was unaware that South African National Defence Force logistics contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu was allegedly robbed on her way to deliver R200,000 in cash during their second meeting. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering stemming from her tenure as defence minister between 2016 and 2019.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu previously testified that in July 2017, she delivered R200,000 in cash to Mapisa-Nqakula's Bruma home on the exact evening she survived an armed robbery in Spruitview, Ekurhuleni. Her husband, retired Maj-Gen Noel Ndhlovu, supported her account, testifying that he drove her to the former minister's home because she was too injured from the attack to drive herself.
However, Mapisa-Nqakula disputed the timeline, stating that their second meeting took place in April or May 2017, not July. She maintained that Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu never mentioned any robbery during the visit. "As I'm standing here, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu never once mentioned to me that she had been robbed," Mapisa-Nqakula told the court.
Mapisa-Nqakula denied receiving any money that day, claiming the actual purpose of the meeting was for Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu to vent about personal issues with her sister. She added that had she been told about the robbery, she would have shown compassion and ubuntu rather than dismiss the injuries, as alleged.
State prosecutor Emile van der Merwe questioned her defence, asking why, if she held such deep beliefs in ubuntu, she had not instructed her legal team to dispute Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's claims during examination. Mapisa-Nqakula explained that it is a broad concept centred on kindness and sympathy, emphasising that she would have demonstrated those values immediately.
Expressing outrage over the allegations, Mapisa-Nqakula said she felt irritated by how the prosecution framed the incident, as though she were somehow implicated in the robbery itself. She stated that even if Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu was injured, there is no reason she would stand before the court and lie about not knowing.
The state contended that the cash delivery took place during their second meeting in July 2017, while Mapisa-Nqakula has repeatedly denied these allegations, maintaining that their connection was based solely on shared experiences as traditional healers. Cross-examination continues.
Key points
- Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula denies allegations of corruption and money laundering
- Former defence minister testifies she was unaware of alleged robbery before cash handover
- Mapisa-Nqakula disputes timeline of second meeting with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu
