Court reserves judgment on Mapisa-Nqakula corruption trial dismissal bid

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment on a bid by former South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to have her corruption and money laundering trial dismissed. The application, heard on Monday, August 31, 2026, centers on whether the state has presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable court to convict. Judge Mashudu Munzhelele will deliver a ruling on September 7, 2026. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The charges relate to her tenure as defence minister from 2016 to 2019. The state alleges she solicited and received approximately R4.5 million in bribes from SANDF contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.