Mapisa-Nqakula Denies Influencing Tender Award To Corruption Accuser
The former Speaker of Parliament has rejected claims that she used her position to influence a tender awarded to defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who accuses her of soliciting R4.5 million in corrupt payments.
Former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has denied that she influenced the awarding of a government tender to Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who has accused her of soliciting R4.5 million in alleged corrupt payments.
Mapisa-Nqakula made the denial while under cross-examination in the Pretoria High Court, where she is facing corruption charges.
She has maintained that she was not bribed to influence the awarding of tenders in her favour and rejected the suggestion that she had the ability to manipulate the tender process.
Dispute Over R104 Million Tender
Both Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu have testified about telephone conversations between them concerning a R104 million tender.
According to the supplied evidence, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu had been awarded the tender initially but it was later revoked. She subsequently complained to Mapisa-Nqakula about the matter.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu was later awarded a replacement tender worth R79 million.
Mapisa-Nqakula has denied that her involvement in the matter resulted in the replacement tender being awarded to Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
Mapisa-Nqakula Denies Knowing Tender Committee
During her cross-examination, Mapisa-Nqakula also denied knowing the identities of the members of the tender-awarding committee during her time as minister.
Her evidence is significant to the prosecution's case because the alleged corruption concerns whether she could have used her position to influence the awarding of tenders.
Mapisa-Nqakula has consistently rejected the allegation that she solicited or received corrupt payments from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
The corruption allegations remain contested in court, with Mapisa-Nqakula denying wrongdoing.
