Mapisa-Nqakula Rejects Claims She Discussed Bank Balance With Bribery-Accused Contractor

Accusations of Bribery and Financial Disclosure

Mapisa-Nqakula faces twelve counts of corruption and one charge of money laundering. The State alleges that during her time as defence minister, between 2016 and 2019, she solicited R4.5 million in bribes from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, receiving R2.1 million in cash, reportedly to fund renovations at her Bruma home in Johannesburg. She has pleaded not guilty and denies accepting any illicit payments or ever discussing her financial status with the contractor.

During proceedings, the prosecutor grilled Mapisa-Nqakula about the claim that she told Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu she had only R6,000 in her account, supposedly as a request for help to pay waiting workers. Mapisa-Nqakula firmly rejected such allegations, stating,

“Even my husband does not know how much I have in my bank account.”

She insisted she never spoke of her financial situation with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu and suggested the contractor’s knowledge might have come from investigating officers, not through her own disclosure.

Details From the Courtroom

During cross-examination, the prosecutor referred to Mapisa-Nqakula’s bank statements, which showed an overdraft, a negative account balance, and specific amounts available in early April 2019. While Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed the bank statement figures, she maintained that she had not shared this information or any financial concerns with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.

The prosecution pressed on with claims that Mapisa-Nqakula pointed out workers waiting for payment at her home and allegedly admitted to having limited funds. Mapisa-Nqakula dismissed these assertions, arguing that the State was basing its case on Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s testimony, which she said suited the contractor’s version of events. She emphasized,

“I had no reason, my lady, to tell Nombasa about my problem, that I had an overdraft problem. I had no reason to tell Nombasa about my problem.”

She further declared:

“I never asked for Nombasa’s money.”

Context: Contractor’s Testimony and Indemnity

Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, the contractor at the center of the allegations, testified under an indemnity agreement as a section 204 witnessmeaning she may receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for her evidence. Her account included claims of making several cash payments to Mapisa-Nqakula after her logistics firm received a major contract. She also shared an incident where her sister discovered a large sum of cash hidden in her home, which she explained was connected to the alleged arrangement with the former minister.

In her testimony, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu described visiting Mapisa-Nqakula’s house, being introduced to her sister, and a private conversation allegedly leading to a cash handover to pay waiting workers. It was here Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu claimed Mapisa-Nqakula disclosed the R6,000 figure as her remaining bank balance. Mapisa-Nqakula categorically denied this version, holding that she neither asked for money nor revealed her account details.

Legal Proceedings and the Section 204 Witness Status

The proceedings also addressed Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s role as a section 204 witness and whether her testimony was influenced by expectations of indemnity. Mapisa-Nqakula stated she had learned details about section 204 only recently during the trial and denied any issues with the witness status itself.

Throughout cross-examination, the prosecutor gave Mapisa-Nqakula opportunities to explain her repeated references to Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s legal status but she expressed no objections, clarifying that her concern was over her role in arrangements between the contractor, investigators, and the State. She also stressed that questions about section 204 indemnity had only arisen after the judge referenced the matter.

Arrest Warrant and Ongoing Proceedings

An arrest warrant for Mapisa-Nqakula, initially issued after missing a court date in October, was officially cancelled after her latest appearance. Her earlier absence in September had been justified with a medical note, causing a delay in proceedings. On Wednesday, the judge confirmed that the warrant was annulled, allowing the trial to continue.

Mapisa-Nqakula’s defense continues to dispute the core accusations, maintaining that no financial discussions took place with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu and denying any role in corrupt activities. The court will continue to hear evidence in this high-profile corruption trial in the coming days.