Mapisa — Nqakula Trial: State Witness Testifies to Alleged R300,000 Request ### DATELINE: Pretoria, South Africa – July 23, 2026 ### LEAD In a dramatic turn in the corruption trial of former South African Speaker of the National Assembly and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, a state witness has recounted an alleged request for R300,000 from Mapisa-Nqakula.
The incident is part of a broader scheme accused of seeking R4. 55 million in bribes during her tenure as Defence Minister from 2016 to 2019.
### NUT GRAF: The trial, currently underway in the Pretoria High Court, has garnered significant attention as it highlights the depth of corruption allegations against a high-profile political figure.
Mapisa — Nqakula has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which she maintains are politically motivated. ### BODY: #### Paragraph 1: The state witness, who has been granted anonymity for their safety, testified that Mapisa-Nqakula requested the R300,000 during a meeting that also involved a defence contractor, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
The witness alleged that the request was part of a larger scheme to solicit bribes from contractors doing business with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). #### Paragraph 2: According to News24, the trial has revealed a complex network of financial transactions and coded language used to discuss bribes.
The state has presented evidence of cash payments, digital transfers, and even the use of a wig as a code to signify a bribe.
#### Paragraph 3: Daily Maverick reports that Mapisa-Nqakula’s defence team has argued that the charges are unfounded and that the transactions in question were legitimate payments for services rendered. They have also questioned the credibility of the state witness, suggesting that their testimony may be influenced by a desire for leniency in their own legal troubles.
#### Paragraph 4: The corruption allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula come at a time when South Africa is addressing a high level of corruption within its public sector.
The trial has sparked discussions about the need for stronger anti — corruption measures and the role of political leaders in setting an example. ### KICKER: As the trial continues, the nation awaits further evidence and the final judgment on Mapisa-Nqakula’s guilt or innocence.
The outcome of the case could have significant implications for South Africa’s fight against corruption and the public’s trust in its political institutions.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 3*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Google News v2
