Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption trial heard fresh testimony on Tuesday that between R1.7 million and R1.8 million was allegedly paid in cash for renovations and furnishings at her Johannesburg home, with the State arguing the money formed part of proceeds from alleged bribes.
The Pretoria High Court heard evidence from interior designer Nomsa Shabangu, who testified that she managed renovation work at Mapisa-Nqakula’s Bruma property between 2018 and 2020. According to Shabangu, the former defence minister and her husband, Charles Nqakula, made numerous cash payments to cover building materials, furniture and décor during the project.
Shabangu, who described Mapisa-Nqakula as “like a sister”, told the court she received between R1.7 million and R1.8 million to oversee the renovations. She also claimed she is still owed about R200,000 for her work but said she had not pursued payment because of their close relationship.
Another State witness, architect Emmanuel Mulaudzi, testified that he was paid R70,000 in cash for drawing the renovation plans, saying R50,000 came directly from the couple while a further R20,000 was paid through Shabangu.
Prosecutors allege the renovation money originated from bribes received while Mapisa-Nqakula served as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. The former minister has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The State alleges she solicited approximately R4.5 million in cash and other benefits from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019 in exchange for influencing procurement processes involving South African National Defence Force contracts.
Earlier in the trial, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu testified that she made multiple cash payments to Mapisa-Nqakula, alleging the former minister sometimes used coded language when requesting money. The State contends that about R2.1 million was ultimately paid in cash and that some of those funds financed the Bruma home renovations.
Defence lawyers continued cross-examining Shabangu, probing the handling of payments and documentation relating to the renovation project. The trial is expected to continue as the State calls additional witnesses to support its case.
Mapisa-Nqakula resigned as Speaker of the National Assembly in April 2024 after corruption allegations emerged. She was subsequently arrested, granted bail and has consistently maintained her innocence, denying any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings. The outcome of the trial is expected to determine whether prosecutors can prove that the cash allegedly used for the renovations formed part of an unlawful bribery scheme.
