Mapisa-Nqakula: Denies R2m Bribe for SANDF Promotion in Court

• Former National Assembly Speaker and defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula denied asking for a R2 million bribe for a SANDF promotion.
• The alleged bribe was intended to secure a promotion for Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's husband, Major General (retired) Noel Ndhlovu.
• Mapisa-Nqakula testified in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that Ndhlovu was 'unappointable' due to lacking security clearance and not automatically qualifying for a head position as a deputy.
• She faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.
• Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu is a businesswoman and a key State witness in the ongoing trial.

She explicitly stated, 'I never asked for money from Nombasa,' challenging the narrative put forth by Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who is a key State witness in the proceedings.

Former National Assembly Speaker and defence minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, recently appeared in court, directly addressing a central accusation in her high-profile corruption trial. On Tuesday, she vehemently denied claims that she solicited a R2 million payment from businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. This alleged sum was purportedly intended to facilitate a promotion within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's husband.

During her testimony, Mapisa-Nqakula expressed bewilderment at the State's assertion, questioning the premise that she would have sought financial gain for promotions during her tenure as defence minister. She explicitly stated, 'I never asked for money from Nombasa,' challenging the narrative put forth by Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who is a key State witness in the proceedings. Her defence counsel, advocate Siyabulela Mapoma SC, guided her through questions concerning the alleged R2 million bribe request, to which she responded after a noticeable pause.

Central to the alleged R2 million bribe SANDF promotion scandal is the career trajectory of Major General (retired) Noel Ndhlovu, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's husband. Mapisa-Nqakula informed the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria that despite his extensive service of over 26 years as a senior military doctor in the SANDF, Ndhlovu was deemed 'unappointable' for the desired promotion. This assessment, she explained, was the reason he was overlooked during her time as defence minister.

Testifying before Judge Mashudu Munzhelele, Mapisa-Nqakula provided specific reasons for Ndhlovu's lack of advancement. She highlighted that he had not received the necessary security clearance for the position. Furthermore, she clarified that merely holding a deputy role did not automatically qualify an individual to assume leadership of a department, indicating that his existing rank did not guarantee an automatic progression to a higher post. These factors, she maintained, underpinned the decision not to promote him, entirely separate from any alleged financial demands.

The Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula corruption trial is unfolding with significant public interest, as the former high-ranking official faces a formidable array of charges. She is currently indicted on 12 counts of corruption and an additional count of money laundering, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against her. The proceedings in the Gauteng High Court Pretoria corruption case continue to shed light on the intricate details of the State's evidence and the defence's counter-arguments.

This high-profile case, often referred to as the SANDF promotion scandal South Africa, serves as a critical examination of accountability within the nation's public sector. The outcome of the Mapisa-Nqakula money laundering charges and corruption allegations will undoubtedly have implications for how similar cases involving senior government officials are prosecuted and perceived, reinforcing the ongoing efforts to combat alleged influence peddling and ensure transparency in public appointments.

This high-profile corruption trial involving a former senior official underscores the ongoing legal and reputational risks associated with public sector appointments and alleged influence peddling in South Africa. Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the outcome for precedents in anti-corruption enforcement and the handling of high-level public official accountability.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica