Transcript delays stall Mapisa‑Nqakula’s bid to be discharged from corruption case

Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula saw her effort to have corruption and money‑laundering charges dismissed delayed after her defence team told the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria it had not received complete witness transcripts needed to prepare a Section 174 discharge application.

Why the hearing was delayed

Mapisa‑Nqakula appeared in court on 20 August 2026 as her legal team sought to end the prosecution following the close of the state’s case. Defence counsel Siyabulela Mapoma SC informed the court that transcripts were only available up to late July, and that August records were still outstanding, preventing the defence from finalising its Section 174 application.

The defence was given until 24 August to file the Section 174 discharge application. The matter was then postponed to 31 August for the formal hearing.

What a Section 174 application would mean

The defence intends to rely on Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows an accused to be discharged at the close of the state’s case without having to testify. If the court upholds such an application, the accused is discharged without mounting a defence. If it fails, the trial continues and the defence would be expected to call witnesses and the accused could testify under cross‑examination.

The charges and background

Mapisa‑Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The state alleges she solicited R4.55 million in bribes from SANDF contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu between December 2016 and July 2019. She denies the charges.

The alleged offences date to her time as minister of defence and military veterans, a post she held from June 2012 until August 2021. The case was opened after a criminal complaint by United Democratic Movement leader and Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa. Following her arrest in April 2024, Mapisa‑Nqakula stepped down from her role in parliament.

Next steps

Judge Mashudu Munzhelele expressed concern about the delays and proposed providing the defence with a flash drive containing the files to avoid further setbacks. The defence’s Section 174 application is due on 24 August, with the formal hearing listed for 31 August.

This report is based on court coverage published by The Citizen on 20 August 2026.