Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption trial continued in the Pretoria High Court on Monday, with the husband of her accuser taking the witness stand.
Major General Noel Ndhlovu, the husband of defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, is expected to give evidence as the State advances its case against the former defence minister.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, the sole director of Umkhombe Marine, has alleged that Mapisa-Nqakula requested R4.5 million from her between 2016 and 2019 while serving as Minister of Defence. The former Speaker is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.
State Calls Major General Noel Ndhlovu To Give Evidence
Major General Ndhlovu’s testimony follows several references to him during his wife’s evidence in court.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, the State’s key witness, previously told the court that she deliberately kept her dealings with Mapisa-Nqakula from her husband.
She explained that they had built a proverbial “Great Wall of China” in their marriage, meaning there were aspects of their professional and business lives that they did not discuss with one another.
Court Expected To Examine Alleged R200,000 Payment
Despite saying she kept the alleged corrupt dealings secret, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu also testified that her husband accompanied her on one occasion when she travelled to Mapisa-Nqakula’s home in Bruma.
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According to her evidence, the visit involved the delivery of an alleged R200,000 bribe to the former minister.
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The State is expected to question Major General Ndhlovu about the circumstances surrounding that visit as proceedings continue in the Pretoria High Court.
