The corruption case of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be heard in the North Gauteng High Court on October 16.
An indictment was served at Mapisa-Nqakula’s brief appearance before the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Tuesday morning.
According to the magistrate, the matter will go through pre-trial procedures until it is ready for trial.
Charged with soliciting bribes worth R4.5-million
The former National Assembly speaker is charged with receiving and soliciting bribes worth R4.5-million. R2.1-wamillion of this was received in cash. This was from a service provider to the department while she was serving as the defence minister.
She is currently out on R50,000 bail and is expected to appear at the Pretoria High Court in October.
Mapisa-Nqakula is also accused of money laundering on one count and corruption on 12 counts.
Magistrate Vusumuzi Mahlangu said the case has been transferred to the Pretoria High Court for the summary of the trial.
“Mrs Mapisa-Nqakula, you have been served with an indictment from the prosecution to appear at the North Gauteng High Court, otherwise known as the Pretoria High Court.
“In terms of Section 75(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, the matter is therefore referred to the North Gauteng High Court. Otherwise known as the Pretoria High Court for a summary trial.
“That will be on October 16, 2024. You are currently on bail. Your bail is extended on condition that you will remain in attendance until the matter is done,” magistrate Mahlangu added.
In April, Mapisa-Nqakula handed herself over to police at the Lyttelton police station in Tshwane. This was following the multi-million-rand corruption investigation.
Resigned from her post as speaker amid charges
She was transported to the station by two sport utility vehicles: an Audi Q7 and a black BMW X5.
Mapisa-Nqakula has since resigned from her National Assembly Speaker position. She cited that she wanted to focus on the ongoing investigation against her.
The resignation followed weeks of speculation on her future. This was amid threats of arrest by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate (ID).
Her urgent appeal for alleged graft case to be struck off the roll was denied by the Pretoria High Court. The appeal was also for the prohibition of investigators from detaining her. Then Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Director of Public Prosecutions’ Shamila Batohi were also cited in the appeal.
She resigned from both her role as Speaker of the National Assembly and her membership in the legislature in April. This was after the criminal charges came to light.
