Mapisa-Nqakula Fails To Appear In Court As Illness Delays Corruption Trial
The former National Assembly Speaker was due to resume giving evidence in the Pretoria High Court, but her lawyers told the court she remained unwell.
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula did not appear before the Pretoria High Court on Friday, forcing a further postponement of her corruption and money laundering trial.
Mapisa-Nqakula was expected to return to the witness stand after her testimony was interrupted on Tuesday when she became unwell. Her lawyers told the court on Friday that she was still not feeling well.
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The defence did not provide a sick note to support the explanation. The court consequently issued a warrant for Mapisa-Nqakula’s arrest, but held it over until her next scheduled court appearance.
The trial has now been postponed until November, when both the State and defence are available to continue proceedings.
Charges Relate To Period As Defence Minister
Mapisa-Nqakula is facing corruption and money laundering charges arising from allegations that she solicited corrupt payments from contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndlovu.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2016 and 2019, when Mapisa-Nqakula was serving as Defence Minister.
Mapisa-Nqakula has denied wrongdoing and is contesting the charges.
Trial To Resume In November
The former Speaker had been expected to continue her evidence on Friday after the court adjourned her testimony earlier in the week because of her reported illness.
Her failure to appear led to the latest delay, with the warrant remaining in force but not being executed before the November proceedings.
The case will return to the Pretoria High Court in November, when the parties are expected to resume the trial.
