WATCH | Tired and unwell: Mapisa-Nqakula’s testimony halted in corruption trial

Pretoria – Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has rejected the State’s interpretation of WhatsApp exchanges at the centre of her corruption and money-laundering trial, arguing that the messages have been taken out of context.

Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering over allegations that she solicited about R4.5 million in bribes from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019. The State alleges about R2.1 million was paid in cash and that some of the money was used to finance renovations at Mapisa-Nqakula’s Bruma home.

A key part of the State’s case is a series of WhatsApp messages between Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. Investigating Directorate financial investigator Wynand Wessels previously testified that cash withdrawals from the contractor’s bank account corresponded with messages allegedly involving coded requests for money.

Mapisa-Nqakula has disputed the State’s interpretation of the messages, including an exchange in which she asked Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu to meet her because she wanted to discuss a dream.

The contractor interpreted the reference to the dream as a coded request for money, but Mapisa-Nqakula told the court that this was not the case and that Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu had been the one who told her about a dream and sought her help in interpreting it.

The former minister has also rejected the State’s claim that illicit payments funded renovations at her home.

Interior designer Nomsa Shabangu previously testified that she received about R1.7 million to R1.8 million, mostly in cash, for renovations, furniture and building materials between 2018 and 2020.

Mapisa-Nqakula said the renovations had started years before she became defence minister and were financed through her and her husband’s salaries, travel allowances and cash savings.

[BREAKING NEWS] Court adjourns as former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula takes ill during her corruption trial. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/QFQpFAkYqs

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 9, 2026

Explaining why she used cash, she told the court: “I am not an EFT person. Ever since they’ve done away with cheques, I’ve struggled.”

She also rejected claims that expensive curtains at her home cost R600,000.

“I don’t have curtains worth R600,000 or even R200,000. What kind of curtains cost that amount of money?” she said.

Icala elibhekene nowayengungqongqoshe wezokuvikela nowayengusomlomo wephalamende u-Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula liphazamisekile namhlanje enkantolo ngemva kokukhala ngokugula ngesikhathi ethula ubufakazi bakhe.#SABCNews pic.twitter.com/zamtJEo9SR

— SABC izindaba (@SABCizindaba) September 9, 2026

Her testimony was cut short on Wednesday after she became unwell in court. She reportedly told those around her “ndidiniwe” – meaning she was tired – before leaving court. Her attorney said her legal team had noticed that she appeared increasingly fatigued and advised her to consult her doctor.

The State maintains that the WhatsApp exchanges, cash withdrawals and evidence surrounding the renovations form part of a broader trail linking Mapisa-Nqakula to the alleged bribes. Her defence, however, continues to challenge the interpretation of the evidence and denies that she solicited or received kickbacks.

The post WATCH | Tired and unwell: Mapisa-Nqakula’s testimony halted in corruption trial appeared first on African Insider.