Key Takeaways
- Former Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula faces 12 corruption charges and one money‑laundering count linked to alleged bribes totalling R4.5 million from SANDF logistics contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu.
- The state’s key witness, Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu, testified that she handed over a R250,000 cash bribe at an August 17 2018 SANDF spousal‑forum event, using the code word “padkos” (food for the road).
- Mapisa‑Nqakula denies receiving any money or gifts from the contractor, claiming she only accepted an official gift from the wife of former SANDF chief Gen Solly Shoke.
- Prosecutors presented a photograph recovered from Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s phone that appears to show Mapisa‑Nqakula accepting a gift bag while hugging the contractor; she confirmed she is the person in the image but disputed its context and authenticity.
- The defence argued the photo is inconclusive, noting the absence of protocol officers and male security personnel, while the prosecution countered that the angle and lack of visible guards do not disprove the exchange.
- Mapisa‑Nqakula testified that she appreciated the warm reception she received at the event and complimented Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu, but dismissed any significance to a post‑flight WhatsApp message saying she had travelled “very well.”
- The trial continues to scrutinise the “padkos” reference, her flight to Port Elizabeth the next morning, and whether the alleged bribe was concealed in a gift bag exchanged at the forum.
Background of the Charges and Allegations
Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula, who served as South Africa’s Minister of Defence and Military Veterans from 2016 to 2019, is standing trial in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on twelve counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The prosecution alleges that, during her tenure, she solicited R4.5 million in bribes from Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu, a logistics contractor for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Of this sum, R2.1 million is said to have been delivered in cash. The alleged bribes were intended to secure and maintain lucrative government tenders for Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s company. The case hinges on whether the minister accepted illicit payments in exchange for preferential treatment in defence procurement processes.
The August 2018 Spousal Forum Event and Testimony of Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu
Central to the state’s case is the testimony of Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu, who described an incident on 17 August 2018 at a SANDF spousal‑forum gathering. She stated that she served as the programme director for the event, while Mapisa‑Nqakula delivered the keynote address. According to Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu, she handed over a R250,000 cash bribe to the minister in a gift bag, using the code word “padkos”—a term commonly understood to mean “food for the road.” She claimed the bribe was requested because Mapisa‑Nqakula was scheduled to fly to Port Elizabeth the following morning. The witness’s testimony sought to establish a direct link between the minister’s official duties and the illegal payment, framing the cash exchange as a quid‑pro‑quo for continued contract awards.
Mapisa‑Nqakula’s Denial and Official Gift Claim
In response, Mapisa‑Nqakula firmly denied ever receiving money or any gifts from Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu at the forum. She testified that the only gift she accepted that day came from the wife of former SANDF chief General Solly Shoke, describing it as an official token presented at the main venue, not in a private holding room. The minister insisted that protocol required all gifts to be received openly and that she would not have accepted a concealed cash payment. Her defence emphasized that any gift exchange would have occurred under the watchful eyes of protocol officers and security personnel, thereby making a clandestine bribe implausible.
Presentation of the Photograph as Evidence
To counter the minister’s denial, prosecutor Emile van der Merwe introduced a photograph recovered from Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s mobile phone. The image shows Mapisa‑Nqakula and Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu embracing near the podium, with what appears to be a gift bag being transferred between them. When questioned, Mapisa‑Nqakula confirmed that she is the person depicted in the photo but cautioned that she could not verify whether the picture was taken at the spousal‑forum event. She suggested the embrace might have occurred before or after her keynote address and argued that the absence of visible tables and seated guests near the podium raised doubts about the image’s authenticity and context.
Cross‑Examination of the Photograph and Protocol Arguments
Van der Merwe challenged Mapisa‑Nqakula’s skepticism by proposing that the photograph could have been taken from the very table where guests were seated, explaining the unusual angle. He also highlighted that, despite the minister’s earlier testimony that protocol officers are always present during gift exchanges, no such officers are visible in the picture. In reply, Mapisa‑Nqakula maintained that protocol was strictly observed on the day of the forum, stating that after the function she was escorted to her vehicle by six personnel, four bodyguards, a protocol officer, and an official named Ngobese from her office. She further explained that photographs circulating from the event only captured the organisers—the spouses of military generals—and therefore did not show the broader security detail that would have been present.
Defence’s Objection to Photo Admissibility and Mapisa‑Nqakula’s Comments on Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu
The defence team objected to the admission of the photograph, arguing that it provides no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing and is susceptible to alternative interpretations. They contended that the image merely shows a congenial hug and does not prove the exchange of money or a bribe. When asked about anything notable regarding Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s conduct that day, Mapisa‑Nqakula recalled appreciating the warm reception she received and quoted the contractor’s complimentary remarks about her support for women’s initiatives. She said she returned the compliment, describing the interaction as a normal, courteous exchange between colleagues and underscoring that there was nothing suspicious about the encounter.
Prosecution’s Focus on the “Padkos” Code Word, Flight to Port Elizabeth, and WhatsApp Message
The prosecution then turned its attention to the aftermath of the forum, probing the alleged “padkos” reference and Mapisa‑Nqakula’s flight to Port Elizabeth the next morning. When questioned about her in‑flight eating habits, the minister stated that it depended on her appetite, but the prosecutor noted that on such a short trip a minister would typically eat at the airport or upon arrival. Mapisa‑Nqakula responded that she does not carry “padkos” when travelling to Port Elizabeth and explained that she left the event with two bottles of wine intended for a homecoming celebratory function. The state also highlighted a WhatsApp message she sent to Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu after landing, in which she wrote that she had travelled “very well.” Pressed on why she would communicate with the contractor in this manner, Mapisa‑Nqakula dismissed any hidden meaning, stating that the phrase is a regular part of her personal vernacular and signifies nothing more than a benign update on her journey.
These exchanges illustrate the competing narratives at the heart of the trial: the state’s attempt to demonstrate a concrete bribe transaction supported by witness testimony, photographic evidence, and circumstantial details, versus the defence’s insistence that the alleged encounter was innocent, protocol‑compliant, and lacking substantiation. The court’s eventual assessment of the photograph’s reliability, the credibility of the “padkos” claim, and the broader context of defence procurement will determine whether Mapisa‑Nqakula faces conviction on the corruption and money‑laundering charges.