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.
