The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria has certified the corruption and money-laundering case against former Defence Minister and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as trial-ready, postponing proceedings to 20 July 2026.

The matter, heard before Honourable Judge Mokhine Mosopa, forms part of case number CC 33 of 2024. Both the State and the Defence confirmed they successfully held a pre-trial conference, submitted signed minutes, and met all obligations under the practice directives.

Accused to Plead Not Guilty

During the hearing, Mapisa-Nqakula’s new counsel confirmed that the accused intends to plead not guilty to the 12 charges of corruption and one count of money laundering. The allegations relate to the solicitation and receipt of R4.5 million, including R2.1 million in cash, from a service provider during her tenure as Minister of Defence.

The State further confirmed that all pre-trial disclosures have been completed. The Defence indicated that no further representations would be made to the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), abandoning earlier intentions to do so.

Trial Setup and Language Requirements

The trial is expected to run for three to four weeks, with proceedings requiring interpreters for Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho due to the linguistic diversity of witnesses.

Judge Mosopa formally certified the matter as ready for trial and set the date for 20 July 2026 at 10:00, with the possibility of extending beyond the three-week estimate should evidence demand.

Surveillance Concerns Raised

In a notable moment, the Defence placed on record that Mapisa-Nqakula has allegedly been under surveillance by unknown individuals since her arrest. This included an incident in August 2025 in the Eastern Cape, where a vehicle allegedly driven by a member of the Hawks collided with her car.

The judge acknowledged the concern, advising counsel to take appropriate constitutional steps under the rights to dignity and security of the person (Sections 10 and 12). However, he emphasised that the court could not issue any directive without a formal application. The State categorically denied involvement and committed to investigating any future incidents brought to their attention.

Bail Extended

The court extended Mapisa-Nqakula’s R50,000 bail, maintaining all existing conditions.

The trial is scheduled to begin on 20 July 2026, marking a significant step in a case that has already drawn wide public and political scrutiny across South Africa.

Court Proceedings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHKpU2x02sY&pp=0gcJCQwKAYcqIYzv

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