Mapisa-Nqakula denies involvement in awarding of R80 million tender

Former Defense Minister and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has denied any role in the awarding of an R80 million contract to military contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. The state initiated the cross-examination of the former minister in the High Court in Pretoria. Mapisa-Nqakula stated that she first received a call from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who claimed she was being "abused" within the department following the cancellation of one of her tenders without adequate justification.

The state claims that Mapisa-Nqakula's involvement in the matter resulted in the new contract being awarded. Speaking through an English interpreter, Mapisa-Nqakula said, "Counsel, by implication, you are suggesting that I gave Nombasa a tender; that is not true and on top of it not being the truth, Nombasa, herself, testified in court that I did not even go back to her."