Mapisa-Nqakula fails to appear in court due to ill health
On Wednesday, Mapisa-Nqakula’s travel allowances came under scrutiny.
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's legal team informed the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that their client is too unwell to continue with her testimony on Thursday. Mapisa-Nqakula, who served as the former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, had to halt her testimony on Wednesday after informing her counsel of her unwell state and the need for medical assistance.
Mapisa-Nqakula is currently facing 12 counts of corruption and one charge of money laundering, all of which she has vehemently denied. On Wednesday, the spotlight was directed towards her travel allowances, with the state questioning the amount she received, estimated at around R4.5 million, including a $10,000 payment from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
During her testimony in isiXhosa through an English interpreter, Mapisa-Nqakula maintained that ministers are entitled to foreign-currency allowances for official travel, which also includes an advance for unforeseen expenses. The trial proceedings are slated to recommence on September 16th.
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