Mapisa-Nqakula Trial Deep Dive | Johannesburg News

Former South African defense minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 corruption charges and one money laundering count, accused of demanding bribes totaling over four million rand from a defense contractor between 2016 and 2019 — allegedly to help her husband secure a promotion to surgeon-general. She denies the claims, arguing it wouldn’t make sense to solicit bribes from everyone she promoted and insists her husband wasn’t qualified due to security clearance and conduct issues — noting only the president can appoint the surgeon-general. The contractor also alleges she requested $10,000 in cash for a New York trip and that $300,000 was hidden inside a wig delivered to an airport. Mapisa-Nqakula counters that she simply complimented the contractor’s hair, asked about getting a wig, and accepted one as a gift — which turned out empty. She also denies other cash-related allegations involving family members. During testimony, she criticized a prosecutor’s behavior, prompting the judge to demand professionalism. The trial continues. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d756009b560a83ea