Pretoria – Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will face trial on corruption and money laundering charges after the High Court in Pretoria rejected her bid to have the case discharged.
MAPISA-NQAKULA TRIAL | The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has dismissed former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s application to have her corruption and money-laundering case dismissed, paving the way for the trial to proceed. pic.twitter.com/3R4uG5EvQ2
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 7, 2026
Judge Mashudu Munzhelele dismissed her application under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, finding that the state had presented sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed.
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering over allegations that she solicited and received R4.5 million from former SANDF service provider Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019. She has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
[WATCH] The trial of former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula resumed in the Pretoria High Court after the judge dismissed her application for a discharge. The court found that sufficient evidence exists for Mapisa-Nqakula to answer the State’s case. Newzroom Afrika’s… pic.twitter.com/qqwZ0GcrMP
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 7, 2026
The defence argued that contradictions in Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s evidence and discrepancies in her statements undermined the state’s case.
However, Munzhelele said: “Contradictions in themselves do not justify rejecting a witness’ evidence.”
The judge said Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s testimony was supported by documentary evidence, financial records and WhatsApp communications.
“Of particular significance is the evidence of Nombasa, a section 204 witness who gave direct evidence implicating the accused in repeated requests for and receipt of substantial amounts of money as gratification,” Munzhelele said.
MAPISA-NQAKULA TRIAL | The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria is delivering judgment on former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s application to have her corruption and money-laundering case dismissed. pic.twitter.com/DH3qFSCUEZ
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 7, 2026
She added that “the state has established a prima facie case”, saying the evidence went beyond mere suspicion.
Mapisa-Nqakula resigned as National Assembly speaker and an MP in April 2024 and has maintained her innocence.
At the time, she said: “I maintain my innocence and am determined to restore my good reputation.”
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
