The Pretoria High Court has heard testimony alleging that former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula used a claimed dream as a reason to summon a defence contractor before allegedly requesting a cash payment.
The allegations emerged as the corruption trial against the former National Assembly Speaker continued this week. Mapisa-Nqakula has denied the charges against her.
Mapisa-Nqakula Bribery Trial Hears Details Of Alleged Cash Request
The Mapisa-Nqakula bribery trial centres on allegations that the former Defence Minister solicited R4.5 million from SANDF supplier Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu. According to the State, the alleged requests took place while Mapisa-Nqakula served as Minister of Defence between 2014 and 2021.
Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu remains the prosecution’s key witness and has been detailing each alleged incident before the court.
[Trump Increases US Refugee Cap By 10,000 For White South Africans]
Earlier this week, the court heard evidence that the two women, who are both traditional healers, allegedly agreed to use references linked to their ancestral calling when discussing bribe payments.
Court Told Alleged ‘Dream’ Led To Meeting At Bruma Home
The Mapisa-Nqakula trial heard on Friday that the former minister allegedly contacted Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu and asked her to come to her home in Bruma after claiming she had experienced a dream that required interpretation. Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu told the court she believed the invitation was actually linked to a request for money.
Giving evidence, she said that after arriving at the property, the former minister did not mention any dream. Instead, she allegedly spoke about renovations at the house, saying the project had become more costly than originally anticipated.
SEE TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES ACROSS LEADING PUBLICATIONS
The Pretoria High Court heard that Ntsondwa-Ndlhovu allegedly handed over R150,000 after Mapisa-Nqakula requested financial assistance. She testified that the cash was wrapped inside an FNB money bag before it was given to the former minister.
The trial continues as the State leads further evidence relating to the alleged bribery scheme.
