Episode Details

The corruption trial of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has begun, with the State accusing her of demanding over four million rand in cash and benefits from a defense contractor during her tenure as Minister of Defence. Allegations span three years, with over two million rand allegedly funneled into home renovations. Mapisa-Nqakula denies all charges, including 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering. The contractor, now granted immunity, is expected to be a key witness. The case reportedly began after the contractor’s company won a major defense contract in 2016, which was later suspended — prompting the contractor to seek Mapisa-Nqakula’s intervention. The State aims to prove a pattern of repeated, coded requests for cash, with some payments directly paid to service providers for renovations. The money laundering charge stems from claims that the funds were proceeds of crime and were concealed. Day one featured testimony from Bantu Holomisa, who revealed how the contractor approached him feeling harassed and seeking help — ultimately leading to the public exposure that triggered the investigation.

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