‘I’m not an EFT person’: Mapisa-Nqakula explains cash payments for renovations
Former South African defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is on trial for corruption and money laundering charges related to alleged kickbacks for government tenders. During her testimony, she defended her use of cash for home renovations by stating she is not comfortable with electronic banking.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing issues of high-level political corruption and the scrutiny of public officials' financial conduct in South Africa.
Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has explained the cash payments made towards extensive renovations at her house in Bruma, Johannesburg.
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering stemming from her tenure as minister of defence and military veterans between 2016 and 2019.
She allegedly solicited R4.5m in bribes, R2.1m of which was allegedly paid in cash, from South African National Defence Force (SANDF) logistics contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu to secure and maintain government tenders between 2016 and 2019.
The state alleges that Mapisa-Nqakula used these kickbacks to fund her home renovations.
Interior designer Nomsa Shabangu , who managed the project, previously testified that she received cash packets totalling nearly R1.8m to pay for renovation expenses and labour.
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