Pretoria High Court: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Discharge Ruling

• Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula awaits a Pretoria High Court ruling on her application to be discharged from 12 corruption and one money laundering charge.
• The charges stem from allegations that she solicited corrupt payments from a contractor between 2016 and 2019 while serving as defence minister.
• Eight individuals, including alleged mastermind Janitha Van Reenen, appeared in Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court over a R10-million electricity theft scheme in Emfuleni Local Municipality.
• Media personality Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye faced gun-related charges in Germiston Magistrate's Court, with his case postponed to September 17.
• A new state witness was expected in the Johannesburg High Court trial of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and four co-accused, focusing on the contested arrest of Musa Kekana.

Should the court grant her application, she would be acquitted of all charges without needing to present a defence.

Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is poised to receive a significant decision from the Pretoria High Court on Monday regarding her application for discharge. This ruling will determine whether she must present a defence against the serious allegations she faces, or if she will be acquitted without further proceedings. The outcome is highly anticipated, given her prominent past role in government.

Mapisa-Nqakula stands accused of 12 counts of corruption and one charge of money laundering. These charges stem from claims that she solicited illicit payments from a contractor during her tenure as defence minister, specifically between 2016 and 2019. Her legal team contends that the state has failed to adequately substantiate its case against her, arguing for her immediate discharge.

Conversely, prosecutors maintain that there was no legitimate justification for Mapisa-Nqakula to either demand or accept money from the contractor in question. Should the court grant her application, she would be acquitted of all charges without needing to present a defence, marking a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings.

Beyond the high-profile case involving the former Speaker, Monday's court dockets across the country feature several other significant legal proceedings. In the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court, eight individuals are set to appear in connection with an alleged R10-million electricity theft scheme impacting the Emfuleni Local Municipality. Among the accused is 25-year-old service provider Janitha Van Reenen, whom police have identified as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. The scheme reportedly involved subcontractors and municipal officials instructing customers to deposit payments into private bank accounts for electricity restoration, leading to substantial losses for the municipality. The suspects face charges including theft, money laundering, and offences related to critical infrastructure.

Another case in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court involves 40-year-old supplier Mpho Malema, who is implicated in a R16-million Emfuleni Local Municipality fleet tender. Malema's arrest occurred at a Pretoria shopping mall on Thursday, following an investigation prompted by complaints from the late Emfuleni financial clerk, Martha Rantsofu. Investigators are scrutinizing allegations that the municipality paid for 18 vehicles, including trucks, but ultimately received only seven.

Meanwhile, media personality Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye appeared at the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Monday for gun-related charges, where his case was postponed to September 17. He faces two counts of firing a gun in a public place and one charge of pointing an object that could be perceived as a firearm. The court also addressed a warrant issued after Maarohanye missed a previous appearance due to illness. This case follows an incident involving an e-hailing driver in Edenvale in June, during which the National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that a pellet gun was confiscated from Maarohanye's residence. He remains out on R5,000 bail.

The Johannesburg High Court is also set to hear new testimony on Monday in the trial of Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and his four co-accused, with a new state witness expected to take the stand. The current focus of the court battle revolves around the arrest of accused Musa Kekana, who is seeking to have evidence obtained during his apprehension excluded from the main trial. Kekana claims that police removed him from Edenvale Hospital before his treatment was complete and subsequently took him to the Bramley police cells. He further alleges that Colonel Owen King, who was the commander of Bramley Police Station at the time, pressured hospital staff to release him prematurely. Colonel King is slated to testify for the state, with prosecutors anticipated to conclude their presentation of evidence on this specific issue by Tuesday.

Separately, the inquest into the tragic death of Anele Tembe will resume at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday, with six witnesses called to provide testimony.

Source: Original reporting via Briefly News