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Arrest warrant issued for Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula after she fails to appear in court
An arrest warrant has been authorised for former National Assembly Speaker and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula after she failed to appear before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday, 2 October 2026, where her corruption and money-laundering trial was due to resume.
The warrant will, however, be held over until 11 November, when the matter is scheduled to return to court.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team informed the court that she was unwell and unable to attend proceedings. According to reports, no sick note had been presented to the court at the time the warrant was issued.
The former Speaker was expected to continue giving evidence and face further cross-examination by the State.
The charges against her
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.
The charges relate to allegations that she solicited approximately R4.5 million from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndlovu between 2016 and 2019, during her tenure as Defence Minister. The State alleges that about R2.1 million was received in cash.
Mapisa-Nqakula has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
Her defence has disputed the State’s evidence concerning alleged cash payments, WhatsApp conversations and other interactions with Ntsondwa-Ndlovu.
State says there is a case to answer
The latest development comes weeks after the Pretoria High Court dismissed Mapisa-Nqakula’s application for a discharge in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
In its judgment, the court found that the State had established a prima facie case requiring her to answer to the charges.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption welcomed the decision.
Acting Investigating Director Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara said: “The judgment is demonstrative of the rule of law being in motion.”
He added: “Our team of prosecutors and investigators presented a solid case in their endeavour to prove the validity of the charges levelled against the accused.”
Trial repeatedly disrupted
The latest absence follows several interruptions to Mapisa-Nqakula’s testimony.
She previously became ill while giving evidence in September, and proceedings were again cut short earlier this week after she told the court she was unwell and wanted to see her doctor.
During her testimony, the State has questioned her about her financial affairs, including tax records and travel and subsistence allowances.
Mapisa-Nqakula told the court: “My tax returns were filed every year,” while arguing that the administrative handling of her tax affairs involved the Department of Defence.
She has also denied that words allegedly used in conversations with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu were coded references for money and has maintained that she did not use her position to solicit corrupt payments.
A former senior government figure
Mapisa-Nqakula served as Defence and Military Veterans Minister before becoming Speaker of the National Assembly.
Her political career has included senior positions as Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Correctional Services, as well as her leadership role in Parliament.
Her corruption case stems from allegations concerning her period as Defence Minister and has become one of the high-profile prosecutions involving a former senior government official.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s records show that the State’s case involves allegations that more than R4.5 million was solicited, with R2.1 million allegedly received in cash.
The allegations remain before the court and have not been proven against Mapisa-Nqakula.
Case returns in November
The arrest warrant is being held over until the next scheduled court appearance on 11 November 2026.
The warrant does not amount to a conviction. Mapisa-Nqakula remains entitled to the presumption of innocence while the criminal proceedings continue.
The court will determine the circumstances surrounding her absence and the continuation of the trial when the matter returns.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
