Former Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula made a brief appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates Court today, where her matter was transferred to the High Court.

PROGRESS IN THE MATTER

The state served Mapisa-Nqakula with an indictment in order to prepare for the high court proceedings on October 16. According to Investigating Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame, Mapisa-Nqakula, who is out on R50,000 bail, faces 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering. "These charges relate to her tenure as Defence Minister between 2016 and 2019, where she allegedly received and solicited approximately R4,5 million from a service provider for the department, of which R2,1 was received in cash," Mamothane said. During court proceedings, the state informed the magistrate that a date had been set for pre-trial. "A high court date in this matter has been secured for pre-trial purposes. The date has been arranged between the state, defence, and clerk of the high court,' said the prosecutor.

READY TO PROCEED

Addressing the accused, the Magistrate presiding over the matter, Vusumuzi Mahlangu, said: "Mrs Mapisa-Nqakula, you have been served with an indictment from the prosecution to appear at the North Gauteng High Court, otherwise known as the Pretoria High Court. In terms of Section 75(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, the matter is therefore referred to the North Gauteng High Court, otherwise known as the Pretoria High Court, for a summary trial. That will be on October 16, 2024. You are currently on bail; your bail is extended on the condition that you will remain in attendance until the matter is done,' said Magistrate Mahlangu.