{
  "id": 2075849,
  "title": "Mapisa‑Nqakula fights to ditch R4.5m bribery charges",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/mapisa-nqakula-fights-to-ditch-r4-5m-bribery-charges",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T05:02:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/mapisa-nqakula-fights-ditch-r4-5m-bribe-charges/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former South African defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula plans to seek dismissal of the R4.5 million bribery charges against her in the Gauteng High Court. The corruption and money-laundering trial resumes on Thursday, 20 August 2026. The prosecution rested its case earlier this month after presenting evidence over two weeks. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and money laundering, with the state alleging she solicited R4.55 million in bribes from SANDF contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between December 2016 and July 2019. Mapisa-Nqakula's legal counsel, Siyabulela Mapoma SC, informed the court that the defence intends to file a Section 174 application for discharge. If the application is successful, Mapisa-Nqakula will be acquitted at the conclusion of the prosecution's case, avoiding the need to present a defence or testify as a witness. However, should the application be rejected, the trial will proceed with the defence expected to present witnesses and potentially have Mapisa-Nqakula testify under cross-examination. Mapisa-Nqakula's alleged offenses span her tenure as defence minister from June 2012 to August 2021, with the case launched following a criminal complaint by UDM leader and Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa after her arrest in April 2024.",
  "summary": "The State closed its case earlier this month after presenting evidence for two weeks.",
  "key_points": [
    "Trial resumes on 20 August 2026 after prosecution rested its case.",
    "Defence plans Section 174 application for discharge to avoid trial."
  ],
  "editors_take": "A successful dismissal application would acquit Mapisa-Nqakula without her having to present a defence or testify, significantly altering the trajectory of her corruption and money-laundering trial.",
  "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."
}