{
  "id": 8079910,
  "title": "CORRUPTION TRIAL : Ex-defence minister Mapisa-Nqakula grilled over tenders, millions and a wig",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/corruption-trial-ex-defence-minister-mapisa-nqakula-grilled-over",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T19:14:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-17-ex-defence-minister-mapisa-nqakula-grilled-over-tenders-millions-and-a-wig/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former South African defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was questioned at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria about alleged corruption and money laundering. Prosecutors allege she received R4.5 million from Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019 while serving as defence minister. The focus of the cross-examination was a R79 million defence contract, which Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu allegedly received after the original R104 million contract was cancelled. Mapisa-Nqakula denied influencing the contract award, stating she did not sit on procurement committees. The prosecutor also questioned Mapisa-Nqakula about a R300,000 payment she received from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, concealed under a wig at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. Mapisa-Nqakula denied receiving the money, insisting it was merely a gift. The court heard that the renovations at Mapisa-Nqakula's home in Johannesburg cost R1.8 million, with about R600,000 spent on imported curtain fabric. The State claims R2.1 million of these costs were paid in cash by Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.",
  "summary": "Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was cross-examined in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday about the timeline of a R79m contract awarded to the woman who claimed to have paid her millions in bribes.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former South African defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula faces corruption trial",
    "Allegations include receiving R4.5 million from Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu (2016-2019)",
    "R300,000 payment concealed under wig at OR Tambo International Airport questioned"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}