Judge in Mapisa-Nqakula's corruption case concerned with lawyers' requests
Mapisa-Nqakula made her first appearance on Wednesday at the Pretoria High Court.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the Pretoria High Court in her corruption and money laundering case on 16 October 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The judge presiding over the corruption case of the former parliamentary Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says he's unhappy the matter has been brought to his court with outstanding issues.
Mapisa-Nqakula made her first appearance on Wednesday at the Pretoria High Court.
The matter was transferred to a high court in preparation for trial, however, Mapisa-Nqakula's lawyers still want the State to disclose more evidence.
She is charged with 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering.
The charges relate to her time as Defence Minister when she allegedly solicited and received kickbacks amounting to R4.5 million from a defence contractor.
The defence said it intends to file an application to have the state disclose sections B and C of the police dockets.
These sections deal with correspondence and the diary of the investigating officers.
Judge Mokhine Mosopa said a high court shouldn’t be the platform for such an application.
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"I am not satisfied about this arrangement because these are the things that should have been done in the lower courts before the matter is transferred to this court. Matters must be transferred to this court when they are trial-ready but in the interest of justice. I am amenable to grant this request.," Mosopa said.
The matter has been postponed to 5 December for arguments on the defence's application for further disclosure of evidence.