Pretoria – Corruption-accused former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will have to wait for a week to find out if the High Court in Pretoria will accept her argument that she should be discharged.
The State alleges Mapisa-Nqakula demanded and received R4.5 million in bribes between 2016 and 2019 while serving as Minister of Defence.
The payments were allegedly made by Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu, director of Umkhombe Marine, a contractor to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The SANDF Contractor testified in court and described how the former speaker would disguise the demand for bribes in messages as a “wig”.
She faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.
However, the former Speaker argues that she should be discharged because she says the state failed to prove allegations of corruption against her.
On Monday, 31 August 2026, the court heard extensive arguments presented by Mapisa-Nqakula’s attorneys.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption’s (IDAC) senior state advocate argued against the discharge application.
The High Court in Pretoria adjourned the matter to 7 September 2026 for judgment.
IDAC Spokesperson Henry Mamothame explained that after the state closed its case, Mapisa-Nqakula applied for a discharge under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
