The investigating directorate has decided not to pursue more suspects in the corruption and money-laundering case against former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
The co-accused was expected to appear alongside Mapisa-Nqakula at the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
Bheki Manyathi, the state prosecutor, said the appearance was meant to disclose evidence that he had already submitted in the form of electronic files on a USB memory stick.
The other reason was to have the said co-accused in court.
Decision not to add any accused person
“I indicated previously that this day contemplates adding a second accused in these proceedings,” said Manyathi.
“Before I came to the decision, that person was going to be charged with only one count of money-laundering, not corruption.”
“We have since, on the previous occasion, reconsidered and a decision has been taken not to add any accused.”
The prosecutor then made a plea for a postponement until a future date when the court would order a high court trial on the case.
He emphasised that Mapisa-Nqakula was not to interact with or have any sort of contact with the witnesses that have been named to her in a list sent to her attorneys on April 4.
Matter postponed
The matter was postponed to July 9, when the former speaker will learn of her new date to make her first appearance for trial.
“The 9th of July is for us as the prosecution to liaise with the registrar of the high court and the role coordinator of the DPP’s [director of public prosecution] office to get a high court date. In other words, the 9th of July is a return date for this court.
“We will then have your worship serve Mrs Mapisa-Nqakula with an indictment and summons to appear in the high court, and a high court date for appearance will be on the summons.
“So, the 9th of July is not for appearance in the high court,” said Manyathi.
Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 charges of corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act and one count of money-laundering for soliciting R4.5-million from a contractor.
She is out on R50 000 bail with restricted movement as her passport is with the National Prosecuting Authorities.
