Key Takeaways
- Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula denied ever asking businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu for R2 million to secure a promotion for her husband.
- She testified that Major General (retired) Noel Ndlovu was “unappointable” because he lacked security clearance, was under investigation, and exhibited mutinous conduct.
- Mapisa‑Nqakula stressed that promotion decisions rested with the President, in consultation with the SANDF head, and she was only informed afterward.
- Ndlovu confirmed he expected promotion, noted his suspension from the SANDF (Oct 2020‑Apr 2024) over a tender linked to his wife, and said he was shocked when he learned of cash payments to the minister.
- Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu said she initially hid the payments from her husband to keep a professional “Great Wall of China” boundary, but he later accompanied her to the minister’s home on one occasion.
- Despite Ndlovu’s instruction to stop the payments, evidence shows more than five subsequent transfers were made.
- Mapisa‑Nqakula described Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu as seeking elder‑type advice and spiritual guidance, including a bone‑throwing ritual to ascertain her Cabinet future.
- Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu portrayed the relationship as politically motivated, claiming the minister asked her to “throw the bones” to predict her survival in a forthcoming reshuffle.
- The trial continues, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives about the nature of the interactions and the alleged bribe.
- The case highlights tensions between military merit‑based promotion, political influence, and alleged corruption involving high‑ranking officials and private business figures.
- Outcomes could affect public trust in the SANDF promotion system and accountability mechanisms for ministers.
- Legal observers note the importance of corroborating documentary evidence, as much of the testimony hinges on personal recollections and contested motives.
Background of the Allegations
The corruption case against former National Assembly Speaker and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula centres on an accusation that she solicited R2 million from businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu to facilitate a promotion for Ndhlovu’s husband, Major General (retired) Noel Ndlovu, within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Mapisa‑Nqakula faces twelve counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The alleged request reportedly occurred during a visit to Mapisa‑Nqakula’s Bruma home in September 2018, where Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu was told she was receiving an “ancestral message.” The State contends that the cash hand‑over was a bribe intended to bypass regular merit‑based promotion procedures.
Mapisa‑Nqakula’s Testimony and Denial
When questioned by her defence counsel, advocate Siyabulela Mapoma SC, Mapisa‑Nqakula expressed bewilderment at the accusation, stating, “I am quite baffled… I never asked for money from Nombasa.” She emphasised that, during her tenure as defence minister, she had promoted many officers and never resorted to soliciting funds for such actions. Her denial was firm, framing the allegation as a misunderstanding of her role and intentions. She maintained that any financial transactions, if they occurred, were unrelated to her official duties.
Ndlovu’s Promotion Prospects and Reasons Given
Mapisa‑Nqakula explained why Noel Ndlovu was not appointed Surgeon‑General, citing three primary reasons. First, Ndlovu never obtained the required security clearance; holding a deputy rank did not automatically guarantee clearance for the top post. Second, ongoing investigations into Ndlovu and his wife impeded the clearance process. Third, she described Ndlovu’s conduct as “mutinous,” a behaviour she claimed he acknowledged. She conceded that other factors might have influenced the decision but insisted the ultimate authority lay elsewhere.
Procedural Context: Decision‑Making Authority
The former minister clarified that, as defence minister, her role in senior appointments was largely advisory. Promotion decisions for senior positions such as Surgeon‑General rested with the President, who acted in consultation with the head of the SANDF. Mapisa‑Nqakula stated she would normally be informed of the outcome only after the decision had been finalised. This procedural limitation, she argued, undermined the premise that she could directly influence Ndlovu’s promotion through personal requests or payments.
Ndlovu’s Testimony on Expectations and Suspension
Noel Ndlovu testified that he had anticipated promotion, noting that no official senior to him possessed the requisite qualifications. He revealed that he had been suspended from the SANDF for nearly four years—from 15 October 2020 to 2 April 2024—owing to an investigation into a military tender awarded to his wife, Nombasa Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu. The original tender was valued at R104 million, later suspended and replaced with a R79 million contract. Ndlovu said the suspension and ensuing scrutiny contributed to his belief that merit‑based advancement had been obstructed.
Financial Transactions Alleged by the State
According to the State’s case, Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu first brought R100 000 in cash to Mapisa‑Nqakula’s residence under the pretense of an ancestral message, expecting another modest request. Instead, Mapisa‑Nqakula allegedly demanded R2 million to secure Ndlovu’s promotion. Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu claimed to have transferred a total of R4.5 million to the minister between 2016 and 2019, insisting she refused the larger sum because she trusted her husband’s promotion would be based on merit alone. The prosecution contends these payments constitute bribes intended to corrupt the promotion process.
Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s Account of Payments and Motivations
Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu testified that she initially concealed the financial dealings from her husband to preserve a clear separation between their professional spheres, likening this boundary to a “Great Wall of China.” She said she viewed Mapisa‑Nqakula as an elder, a traditional healer, and a confidante capable of offering personal and spiritual advice. Despite this intended separation, Ndlovu accompanied her to the minister’s home on one occasion, where she allegedly handed over R200 000 in cash.
The ‘Great Wall of China’ Boundary and Professional Separation
The concept of a professional “Great Wall of China” emerged repeatedly in testimony. Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu argued that maintaining distinct personal and professional interactions was essential, especially given Ndlovu’s role as a military doctor required strict patient confidentiality when treating high‑ranking officials. Ndlovu corroborated this, stating his duties prevented him from discussing professional matters with his wife. Nonetheless, the occasional joint visits to Mapisa‑Nqakula’s residence suggested the boundary was not impermeable.
Discovery of Payments and Ndlovu’s Reaction
When Ndlovu became aware of the cash payments, he testified he felt shocked and angry, deeming the transactions unethical. He instructed his wife to cease further payments, and she reportedly agreed. However, court evidence indicates that Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu made more than five additional payments after this conversation, contradicting her claim of compliance. This discrepancy forms a core point of contention between the defence’s narrative of isolated, consensual assistance and the prosecution’s allegation of systematic bribery.
Mapisa‑Nqakula’s Description of Their Relationship and Spiritual Consultations
Mapisa‑Nqakula portrayed Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu as seeking her counsel on personal problems, seeing her as a stable, married elder and a traditional healer. She said the businesswoman often visited her home for advice and spiritual solace. In this context, Mapisa‑Nqakula recalled performing a bone‑throwing ritual at Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s request to ascertain whether she would retain her ministerial position amid rumors of an impending Cabinet reshuffle. The bones, according to Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu’s testimony, indicated she would remain in the Cabinet.
Contrasting Narratives: Political Consultation vs Advisory Role
Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu offered a divergent interpretation, asserting that Mapisa‑Nqakula’s interest in her was primarily political. She claimed the minister asked her to “throw the bones” to gauge her own political survival, suggesting the minister was anxious about her future in government. This framing casts the interactions as a strategic exchange of influence rather than benign spiritual guidance. The clash between these portrayals—elderly advisor versus politically motivated interlocutor—underscores the difficulty of discerning the true nature of their relationship.
Current Status of the Trial
The trial remains ongoing, with both the prosecution and defence presenting witness testimony, documentary evidence, and expert arguments. The credibility of the conflicting accounts hinges on corroborative records such as bank statements, call logs, and internal SANDF correspondence. As the case proceeds, the court will weigh the plausibility of Mapisa‑Nqakula’s denial against the pattern of alleged payments and the testimonies of Ndlovu and Ntsondwa‑Ndhlovu. A verdict will have significant implications for perceptions of accountability within South Africa’s highest echelons of power.