The corruption trial of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been postponed to 20 August 2026 by the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria to allow her defence team to launch a formal discharge application.

The defence team requested the delay to acquire the transcribed records of the case. They intend to file an application under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

This statutory provision allows an accused person to be acquitted if the court believes there is no credible evidence connecting them to the crime at the end of the prosecution’s case.

The prosecution has officially closed its case after calling its witnesses. It is now waiting for the defence’s heads of argument before drafting a counter-reply. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering

She is accused of soliciting R4.5 million from a Department of Defence contractor during her tenure as Defence Minister. She allegedly accepted R2.1 million of that amount in physical cash.

Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed that the former Speaker has placed her intention to seek a discharge firmly on the court record. Mapisa-Nqakula has maintained her innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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