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The corruption trial of former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has experienced a fresh postponement after the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Division (Pretoria) was informed that the accused is medically unfit to stand trial.
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Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela granted a formal postponement following a medical certificate submitted by Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal representative, Senior Counsel Graham van der Spuy, confirming that the 68-year-old political veteran has been admitted to a healthcare facility due to an acute medical condition.
Severe charges stemming from SANDF procurement corruption
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The state alleges that during her tenure as Minister of Defence between 2016 and 2019, Mapisa-Nqakula solicited and received over R4.5 million in cash bribes from a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) transport contractor, Nompumelelo Niffie Ntsimbane. The alleged illicit payments were linked to lucrative military logistics and charter flight contracts awarded by the Department of Defence.
NPA Investigating Directorate ready to proceed with state witnesses
As Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula refused a secret ballot, shut down opposition debates, and used her presiding power to shield @CyrilRamaphosa from the Section 89 Phala Phala impeachment inquiry. pic.twitter.com/BzbsmGXTfg
— Sandile (@bhutigcinikhaya) September 10, 2026
Lead state prosecutor Advocate Bongiwe Bambatha informed the court that the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) was fully prepared to call its primary witnesses, including key state witness Ntsimbane, who has entered into a Section 204 immunity-from-prosecution agreement.
Also see: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula denies ‘wig’ was code for a bribe
However, state prosecutors accepted the medical submission, noting that the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 requires the physical presence of an accused person during criminal proceedings to ensure a fair trial under Section 35 of the Constitution.
Defence team secures adjournment to allow recovery
Van der Spuy assured the court that the defence team is not seeking deliberate delays, stating that Mapisa-Nqakula intends to exercise her constitutional right to plead not guilty and challenge the state’s evidence.
The court has formally remanded the matter, extending Mapisa-Nqakula’s bail of R50,000 under the existing conditions, which include the surrender of her diplomatic passport and strict travel restrictions outside South Africa’s borders.
The trial is expected to resume once an independent medical assessment by state health practitioners confirms her fitness to attend proceedings.
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