Questions over how more than R1 million was allegedly spent renovating former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home took centre stage in the Pretoria High Court, as the state continued to probe the financial trail.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) chief financial investigator, Wynand Wessels, testified that banking records do not support claims that Mapisa-Nqakula and her family financed the extensive renovations through cash withdrawals.
Wessels told the court that the family withdrew a combined R1.6 million between 2018 and 2020.
However, he said R600,000 of that amount was spent on curtains made from imported fabric, leaving significantly less available for the renovations, which the State alleges cost well over R1 million.
Mapisa-Nqakula is facing charges of allegedly soliciting bribes from a Defence Department logistics contractor, accusations she has consistently denied.
The court also heard that Wessels analysed the bank accounts of businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndlovu and found she withdrew almost R4.5 million between 2016 and 2020.
Prosecutors alleged that part of those funds was paid to Mapisa-Nqakula.
During cross-examination, the defence challenged Wessels on whether he had direct proof that the money reached the former National Assembly Speaker.
Wessels replied that his conclusions were based on sworn statements provided by Ntsondwa-Ndlovu.
The defence also indicated it intends to dispute his qualification as an expert witness.
Earlier evidence from Mapisa-Nqakula’s spokesperson, Joy Peter, painted a tense picture of the relationship between the former minister and Ntsondwa-Ndlovu.
Peter testified that the businesswoman felt abandoned after her Defence Department contracts came under scrutiny and believed the then-minister had failed to support her.
Peter told the court Ntsondwa-Ndlovu declared she would “not go down alone”.
The trial in Pretoria has adjourned for the day.
