Mapisa-Nqakula case: State granted extension to develop opposing argument in disclosing documents
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has filed an application to have the State hand over the correspondence and investigation diary of the investigating officers in her case, but the State says the requested information is confidential.
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on corruption charges on 4 April 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Pretoria High Court has granted the prosecution in the corruption case against Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula an extension to develop its opposing argument to disclose more documents.
Mapisa-Nqakula has filed an application to have the State hand over the correspondence and investigation diary of the investigating officers in her case.
On Thursday, the application was set to be heard in court. However, the State said it was not ready.
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The former defence minister faces several charges of corruption and money laundering for allegedly soliciting bribes amounting to R4.5 million from a defence contractor.
The lawyers representing Mapisa-Nqakula said they are unhappy that the hearing has been delayed.
The State intends to oppose the application on the basis that the information being requested is confidential and will not be used during the trial.
Prosecutor Bheki Manyathi said the State needs more time to develop its arguments.
“The heads themselves, in the State view, are voluminous, coupled with the legal authorities referred to. As a result of that, the State indicated on Tuesday that it is highly unlikely that it would have read all the case law authorities and be ready to argue the matter today [Thursday].”
Meanwhile, Mapisa-Nqakula has requested to have her bail conditions relaxed to travel outside the country.
The matter returns to court on 20 January.