'SHE LOOKED FATIGUED' — Mapisa-Nqakula's R4.5m corruption trial cut short as former Speaker requires medical attention
PRETORIA — The high-profile corruption trial of former Defence Minister and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was abruptly cut short on Wednesday, 09 September 2026, after the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria noted that she appeared visibly tired and fatigued while testifying in her own defence.
Mapisa-Nqakula, 68, is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The State alleges that while serving as Defence Minister, she solicited and received millions of rands in bribes from defence contractor and State witness Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu in exchange for awarding tenders and facilitating business with the SANDF.
According to ENCA, Mapisa-Nqakula was on the stand testifying against the charges when proceedings had to be adjourned early. Her legal team requested an early adjournment, citing what they described as visible 'tiredness'.
"Even yesterday she was actually noticed by the court that she was tired. Unfortunately, we are not doctors, so we are not able to give a diagnosis, but she looked like she was fatigued," her lawyer told Judge.
The former Speaker, seen in court wearing her signature purple doek and a patterned purple outfit, had to be comforted by a woman standing behind her in the dock, with a hand placed on her shoulder as she closed her eyes.
Her lawyer confirmed that Mapisa-Nqakula has not been admitted to hospital but has visited her private doctor for medical attention after the full day in the witness box.
"We are stretching closer to two months. A court process is gruelling and tiring and frustrating even to us practitioners who have been doing it for almost half or more than half our lifetime. So it is worse for a person who is not used to it," he argued, attributing the fatigue to lengthy proceedings that have been ongoing since 20 July.
The court was told that confirmation from the doctors will determine whether the trial resumes on Thursday, 10 September 2026.
"This communication, he said, is expected to happen before the end of the day on Wednesday," the report states.
"If the doctor recommends that she take a rest, then it will mean that we have to go back to the court's diary and look at the future availabilities," her lawyer said.
"The family will update me if she's not in a position to address me, and then I will address my team of advocates accordingly so we can prepare either to proceed tomorrow or to address the court as to the way forward."
The lawyer also confirmed that they will await confirmation from the doctors to decide on Thursday's proceedings.
Legal commentator quoted by ENCA said the court must ensure a fair trial: "says there must be a fair trial. So, if you're not feeling well, it's important that the court takes cognisance of that and then you are given time, obviously, to recuperate and be in a better condition. But most possibly a doctor's note will be sufficient."
Mapisa-Nqakula has denied the allegations. She admitted that Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu visited her home, but said they discussed a family matter and not bribes.
She told the court she never asked for money from Nombasa, expressing that she was baffled by the claims. Her defence is now taking the court through financial records to dispute the State's timeline, arguing that renovations at her home started long before the alleged kickbacks.
The trial is set to continue on Thursday, subject to medical clearance.
Comments