‘Ill’ Mapisa-Nqakula stays away from court, trial postponed

Pretoria – Former National Assembly speaker and defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula did not appear in the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday after falling ill during proceedings the previous day.  Her legal representative told the court that Mapisa-Nqakula remained unwell and handed over a medical report confirming her condition and the date she was expected to be fit to return.  “The accused is not... Read more → The post ‘Ill’ Mapisa-Nqakula stays away from court, trial postponed appeared first on African Insider.

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Sep 10, 2026 - 12:08
‘Ill’ Mapisa-Nqakula stays away from court, trial postponed

Pretoria – Former National Assembly speaker and defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula did not appear in the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday after falling ill during proceedings the previous day. 

Her legal representative told the court that Mapisa-Nqakula remained unwell and handed over a medical report confirming her condition and the date she was expected to be fit to return. 

“The accused is not before the court today. Due to her illness that she is, or has suffered, I have a medical report,” her lawyer told the court, according to The Citizen. 

The lawyer said the report was dated 9 September and had been provided to the State. 

The matter was postponed to 16 September 2026 for further hearing. 

The court also authorised a warrant of arrest for Mapisa-Nqakula, but held it over until 16 September. 

Her absence follows Wednesday’s proceedings, which were halted after she became unwell while testifying in her corruption and money-laundering trial. Her legal team had earlier said she appeared fatigued and required medical attention.  

Before proceedings were halted, Mapisa-Nqakula rejected the State’s claims that illicit payments were used to fund renovations at her home. 

Interior designer Nomsa Shabangu previously testified that she received between about R1.7 million and R1.8 million, largely in cash, for renovations, furniture and building materials between 2018 and 2020.

Mapisa-Nqakula has denied receiving money from the State witness Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu and has disputed allegations that the cash used for the renovations came from bribes. 

The former minister faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering relating to allegations that she received or solicited about R4.5 million in bribes from a South African National Defence Force contractor. 

She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

The trial is expected to resume on 16 September. 

Picture: Screengrab

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

The post ‘Ill’ Mapisa-Nqakula stays away from court, trial postponed appeared first on African Insider.

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