Cape Town – Former National Assembly speaker and former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the Pretoria High Court on Monday, visibly emotional, facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering related to her tenure as defence minister.
The allegations involve dealings with Umkhombe Marine, a logistics company run by controversial defence industry businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who claims to have paid bribes totaling over R4.5 million between 2016 and 2019 to Mapisa-Nqakula in exchange for government defence tenders, including a R104 million contract awarded in February 2016.
According to the indictment, shortly after the contract was awarded, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu was informed it had been suspended.
Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula broke down in the witness box. She’s appearing in the High Court in Pretoria, facing fraud and corruption charges. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering, for allegedly receiving kickbacks… pic.twitter.com/wYk29VdYwk
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 18, 2025
She then contacted Mapisa-Nqakula for intervention.
In November 2016, Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly instructed the late secretary of defence, Sam Gulube, to collect R300,000 in cash from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu is listed as a section 204 witness in the case, meaning she may be granted indemnity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony, although she is also implicated in the alleged crimes.
She has a separate corruption case that was struck from the court roll due to persistent delays.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s lawyers have requested the state hand over Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s bank records and full details of why her separate case was dropped.
Graham Kerr-Phillips, Mapisa-Nqakula’s lawyer, confirmed they had only recently received the 26-file docket and requested more time to review it, subpoena bank statements, and make representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, said the postponement allows the defence to consult with Mapisa-Nqakula on the state-provided docket and potentially file representations.
The court has postponed the matter to a provisional date of November 21, and Mapisa-Nqakula’s R50,000 bail was extended until her next appearance.
