Mapisa-Nqakula Corruption Trial Resumes in Pretoria
The former defence minister faces 12 corruption counts and one money-laundering count, which she denies.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Financial Crime
Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's corruption trial resumes at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 11 November 2026, after her testimony was halted on 29 September when she fell ill. She faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money-laundering linked to her tenure between 2016 and 2019, and has denied all charges.
Why it matters
The state alleges she solicited R4.5m in bribes during her time as defence minister, a case that bears on public trust in the oversight of defence spending. The outcome will test how prosecutors handle allegations of corruption involving a senior public official.
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 corruption counts and one money-laundering count, with a warrant for her arrest authorised on 2 October 2026 after she failed to appear in court. The trial is scheduled for 11 to 20 November 2026, with a second session set for 30 November to 4 December 2026, and the court has not yet ruled on the charges.
The players
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
A former South African defence minister and African National Congress politician who served between 2016 and 2019, now facing corruption charges she denies.
The details
Mapisa-Nqakula testified that her parliamentary salary and foreign-travel allowances were her main sources of income, but the court heard she did not declare the travel allowances to SARS. Prosecutors allege her Bruma home renovations were paid for with cash kickbacks, which she denies.
Timeline
29 September 2026: Testimony halted after Mapisa-Nqakula fell ill on the stand.
2 October 2026: Arrest warrant authorised after she failed to appear in court.
11 November 2026: Trial resumes at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
11 to 20 November 2026: First scheduled trial session.
30 November to 4 December 2026: Second scheduled trial session.
Legal Context
The prosecution falls under South Africa's Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, the framework used against high-profile public officials in recent corruption cases. The trial will test how that law applies to a former cabinet minister accused of soliciting bribes from defence contractors.
Residents following public-sector spending should note that the case centres on alleged kickbacks linked to defence procurement, which may shape scrutiny of government contracts. The outcome could influence how prosecutors and courts handle corruption cases involving senior officials.
The takeaway
Corruption allegations against public officials move through the courts over months, so readers should watch the trial's scheduled sessions rather than early reports. Any ruling will depend on evidence tested in open court.
What happens next
The trial resumes on 11 November 2026, with sessions scheduled through 20 November and again from 30 November to 4 December 2026.
Further reading
For more on related cases, see Financial Crime coverage in South Africa.
