Mapisa-Nqakula denies alleged bribery code words in Pretoria trial

Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula denied in the Pretoria High Court on Monday, 28 September, that she used coded language to request money from a defence contractor. Her answer came during cross-examination in her corruption trial.

The state alleges that Mapisa-Nqakula solicited R4.5 million from South African National Defence Force contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu while serving as defence minister between 2016 and 2019. It alleges that R2.1 million was paid in cash. Mapisa-Nqakula has pleaded not guilty to 12 corruption counts and one money-laundering count, according to Sowetan’s report from court.

Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, a state witness, previously testified that words including “impepho”, “snuff” and “padkos” were used in requests for money. Questioned by prosecutor Emile van der Merwe, Mapisa-Nqakula said she had no such codes with the contractor and had not received money from her. She told the court that, to her, “impepho” referred to the traditional incense plant itself.

The former minister also denied a suggestion that a R150,000 cash payment had been brought to her home. She said that if the contractor had brought money, she would have told her to keep it. Asked why Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu would make the allegations, Mapisa-Nqakula said she did not know.

The testimony presents a direct dispute between the state’s witness and the accused. The allegations remain before the court; Mapisa-Nqakula’s denials are not a judicial finding on the charges.