New witness due in former South African minister's corruption trial

A new defense witness is expected to take the stand on Friday in the corruption trial of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula. She faces 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering stemming from her time as Minister of Defense. The state alleges she solicited $266,000 in kickbacks from a military contractor in exchange for using her influence to secure tenders. Prosecutors say the former defense minister ultimately pocketed $130,000 and used it to pay the contractors who renovated her house in cash. She's denied all the charges and resigned as parliamentary speaker in March 2024 amid the allegations. Her lawyer says two other reluctant witnesses, both officials in the Defense Force Finance Department, are being subpoenaed. Mapisa Nqakula returned to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday to resume her testimony after her trial was paused in September when she fell ill on the stand. A warrant for her arrest was authorized on the 2nd of October after she failed to appear in court. It was held until her next scheduled appearance this Wednesday.