Mapisa-Nqakula denies using sangoma terms as codes to request money
Mapisa-Nqakula has been testifying in isiXhosa whilst a court interpreter translates into English.
Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has denied allegations that she utilized sangoma terms as covert signals to solicit funds from a contractor. This denied claim was made during a corruption trial at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. In July, the contractor, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, testified to the court about their alleged usage of sangoma jargon, describing terms like indumba (African Shrine), impepho (incense), and amayeza (medicinal herb) as coded references to money.
Additionally, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu recounted an incident where Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly visited her home, claiming to interpret a dream that required interpretation but subsequently demanded money to finance her home renovation project during her time as Defence Minister. The former minister is currently facing 12 charges of corruption and one count of money laundering for allegedly seeking bribes totaling more than R4 million while in office.
During the trial, Mapisa-Nqakula's testimony is conducted in isiXhosa, with a court interpreter providing real-time translations into English. The court has also dismissed Mapisa-Nqakula's application for discharge.
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