State decides against charging 2nd suspect in Mapisa-Nqakula corruption trial
The NPA had previously said in court it was closing in on a second suspect in the corruption trial where Mapisa-Nqakula has been charged with twelve counts of corruption and money laundering
Former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, appears in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on corruption allegations on 4 April 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The State has decided against charging a second suspect in the corruption case of former Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had previously said in court it was closing in on a second suspect.
ALSO READ: NPA wants to try Mapisa-Nqakula's corruption case at High Court
Mapisa-Nqakula made a brief appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning. She is charged with 12 counts of corruption and money laundering.
It is alleged that as defence minister, she received and solicited about R4.5 million from a defence contractor.
With the State preparing to have the trial at a High Court, it seems Mapisa-Nqakula will be the only accused person in the dock.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s Investigative Directorate (ID) said it couldn’t reveal the name of the second suspect, as they were never charged.
Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the unknown person was facing one charge of money laundering.
"The evidence before us linked to this person, and we took a decision that it will not stand the test of time in a trial court, so we withdrew the charge against this person. In fact, this person was not officially charged."
'DON'T COMMUNICATE OR INTERFERE WITH WITNESSES' - STATE
She was handed a list of state witnesses she is not allowed to speak to for the duration of her corruption case.
The State further gave her legal team a full disclosure of the charges and evidence it has against her.
“Part of the bail conditions was not to communicate, interfere directly or indirectly with state witnesses so it would make sense to provide a list to the accused – otherwise if there is any eventuality and a list has not been provided, how do you then hold such person accountable,” explain State prosecutor Bheki Manyathi.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team has confirmed receiving the list and assured the court their client has not and will not violate her bail conditions.
The matter was postponed for 9 July 2024 - and will return to court for the serving of an indictment and High Court date.