Former defence and military veterans minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, facing 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering. The charges stem from her tenure as defence minister between 2016 and 2019. Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly solicited R4.5m in bribes from SANDF logistics contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu to secure and maintain lucrative government tenders.
The state presented a photograph from a SA National Defence Force spousal forum event, showing Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly accepting a gift bag from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu previously testified that she handed over a R250,000 cash bribe to Mapisa-Nqakula at the August 17, 2018 event. The cash was allegedly requested using the code word "padkos" (food for the road), as Mapisa-Nqakula was scheduled to fly to Port Elizabeth the next morning.
During cross-examination, Mapisa-Nqakula denied ever receiving money or gifts from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu at the event. She insisted she only received an official gift from the wife of former SANDF chief Gen Solly Shoke. Mapisa-Nqakula claimed the gift was handed over by Mrs Shoke at the main venue, not in a private holding room.
To counter her testimony, state prosecutor Emile van der Merwe presented the photograph recovered from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's phone. The image shows Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu hugging near the podium while a bag appears to be exchanged between them. Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed she was the person in the photo but claimed she could not verify whether it was taken at the spousal forum.
Mapisa-Nqakula challenged the authenticity and context of the image, noting that an expected table and seated guests near the podium were not visible. Van der Merwe countered that the photo might have been taken from the very table where guests were seated, explaining the angle. He also pointed out that while Mapisa-Nqakula previously testified that protocol officers were always close by during gift exchanges, no protocol officers appeared in the picture.
The defence team opposed the admission of the photograph, arguing that it provided no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing. Mapisa-Nqakula maintained that protocol was strictly observed on the day, testifying that after the function, she was escorted to her vehicle by six personnel, including four bodyguards, a protocol officer, and an official named Ngobese from her office.
The prosecution shifted focus to the morning after the event, probing the alleged "padkos" code word and Mapisa-Nqakula's flight to Port Elizabeth. When asked about her in-flight eating habits, Mapisa-Nqakula stated that it depended on her appetite. The case continues with further questioning and presentation of evidence.
Key points
- Mapisa-Nqakula faces 13 charges related to corruption and money laundering.
- The state presented a photograph allegedly showing Mapisa-Nqakula accepting a gift bag from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
- Mapisa-Nqakula denies all allegations, maintaining that she received only an official gift from the wife of former SANDF chief Gen Solly Shoke.
