Court shown photo of Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly receiving R250,000 gift bag

The Pretoria High Court was shown a photograph on Wednesday that the state says depicts former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula receiving a gift bag from SANDF contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.

Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, the state's key witness, previously testified that she handed Mapisa-Nqakula R250,000 in cash at a SANDF spousal forum in August 2018.

The state alleges the cash was placed inside a gift bag and handed to Mapisa-Nqakula during the event, where the former minister delivered the keynote address.

Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering relating to allegations that she solicited and received corrupt payments from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu during her tenure as defence minister. The state alleges that she solicited R4.5 million in bribes, with R2.1 million allegedly paid in cash.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Emile van der Merwe presented the photograph, which was recovered from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's phone.

The image shows Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu hugging near a podium, with a bag appearing to be exchanged between them. Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed that she was the person in the photograph but disputed the state's interpretation of the image and said she could not confirm that it was taken at the spousal forum.

Mapisa-Nqakula maintained that the only gift she received at the event was an official gift from the wife of former SANDF chief General Solly Shoke.

She denied receiving money or a gift from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu and said the gifts were presented to her publicly at the main venue.

The state alleges the R250,000 payment was requested using the code word “padkos”, referring to food for the road, because Mapisa-Nqakula was due to travel to Port Elizabeth the following morning. Mapisa-Nqakula denied carrying any such cash and said she left the event with two bottles of wine.

The photograph was presented as the prosecution continued its cross-examination of Mapisa-Nqakula over her alleged financial dealings with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.

Mapisa-Nqakula has consistently denied soliciting or receiving bribes from the contractor, while the state relies on Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's testimony and other evidence to support its case.

The trial is continuing in the Pretoria High Court.