{
  "id": 149647,
  "title": "IN THE DOCK: Ex-minister Mapisa-Nqakula paid in cash for R1.8m home renovation, court told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/in-the-dock-ex-minister-mapisa-nqakula-paid-in-cash-for-r1-8m-home",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-04T23:20:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-05-ex-minister-mapisa-nqakula-paid-in-cash-for-r18m-home-renovation-court-told/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the corruption trial of former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the court heard about the luxurious home renovations she commissioned, which were paid for in cash and included R600,000 worth of imported curtains. Interior designer Nomsa Patricia Betty Shabangu testified that she oversaw the renovations at Mapisa-Nqakula’s Bruma home in Johannesburg between 2018 and 2020, and that all payments were made in cash. The renovation project, which began with an estimate of R352,000, eventually cost nearly R1.8-million, including R600,000 for the curtains. Shabangu and architectural designer Azwindini Mulaudzi both testified about their involvement in the project, with Mulaudzi providing evidence about receiving a R20,000 cash deposit for the initial plans. The prosecution's case was initially hindered when advocate Zola Majavu declared a conflict of interest and refused to testify, but the judge allowed him to proceed despite his ethical concerns.",
  "summary": "It was a dramatic day in Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption trial as the court heard about luxury home renovations paid for in cash and R600,000 curtains made from imported fabric. Then a prominent lawyer walked out of the proceedings.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula in corruption trial",
    "Interior designer oversaw R1.8m cash-funded renovations",
    "R600k spent on imported curtains"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The testimony reveals a pattern of large cash transactions for luxury items, suggesting a possible circumvention of financial oversight, and potentially weakening Mapisa-Nqakula's defence against corruption allegations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}