{
  "id": 9172312,
  "title": "Mapisa-Nqakula questioned over her repeated meetings with Ndhlovu",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/mapisa-nqakula-questioned-over-her-repeated-meetings-with-ndhlovu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T18:00:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/mapisa-nqakula-questioned-over-her-repeated-meetings-with-ndhlovu/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula stands accused by the State for her frequent interactions with military contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. Mapisa-Nqakula is presently facing corruption and money laundering charges in a High Court trial in Pretoria. Allegedly, she allegedly swayed an R80 million Defence Department contract to Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu prior to soliciting surreptitious payments from her. During the trial, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu disclosed that certain meetings possibly entailed cash transactions, whereas Mapisa-Nqakula maintains the meetings were strictly personal. The State queries if the regularity of these visits could have raised suspicions among other contractors. Mapisa-Nqakula dismissed these concerns, stating she lacks the authority to award tenders. She utilised an English interpreter, asserting, \"My lady, they may perceive favouritism, but I lack such power because I do not possess the authority to make decisions regarding such matters.\"",
  "summary": "The State has questioned Mapisa-Nqakula over her repeated meetings with military contractor.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}