R250,000 CASH BAG? Mapisa-Nqakula Grilled Over Explosive Photo in Corruption Trial

*NOSIVIWE MAPISA-NQAKULA CORRUPTION TRIAL | 23 SEPTEMBER 2026* Former National Assembly Speaker and former Defence Minister *Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula* returned to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, as cross-examination continued in her corruption and money-laundering trial. The State's questioning focused heavily on an alleged *R250,000 cash payment* that prosecutors say was handed to Mapisa-Nqakula in a gift bag during a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spouses' forum in 2018. A photograph was presented in court showing Mapisa-Nqakula at the event with defence contractor **Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu**, who is a key State witness. The State alleges that the bag contained R250,000 in cash. Mapisa-Nqakula disputed the State's interpretation and denied receiving the alleged cash payment. She maintained that the gift she received at the event was presented publicly on the podium as part of the official programme. The prosecution also questioned Mapisa-Nqakula about the alleged use of the code word **“padkos”**, which the State says was used in connection with the alleged R250,000 payment and her trip to Port Elizabeth the following morning. Mapisa-Nqakula denied that she carried or received such a payment. The former Defence Minister is facing *12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering* arising from allegations linked to her time as Defence Minister between 2016 and 2019. The State alleges that she solicited approximately *R4.5 million* from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, including alleged cash payments. Mapisa-Nqakula has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. The court also examined Mapisa-Nqakula's dealings and communications with Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, including meetings between the two and messages exchanged around the time of the alleged payments. Another area of questioning concerned Mapisa-Nqakula's knowledge of a dispute involving **Major-General Noel Ndhlovu**, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu's husband and a former SANDF Deputy Surgeon-General. The State questioned Mapisa-Nqakula about statements she had previously made regarding allegations surrounding overtime payments. Prosecutor Emile Van der Merwe challenged her over how she could have made certain assertions about Ndhlovu without having read a letter in which he disputed the allegations. The proceedings form part of the State's broader case concerning alleged payments, relationships and interactions between Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu during Mapisa-Nqakula's tenure as Defence Minister. Mapisa-Nqakula continues to deny that she solicited or received corrupt payments from the contractor. *WATCH THE FULL PROCEEDINGS* as the State continues to challenge Mapisa-Nqakula's version of events and the court examines the evidence surrounding the alleged R250,000 payment. The trial is scheduled to continue on **28 September 2026**. --- KEY PEOPLE • *Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula* — Former Defence Minister and former Speaker of the National Assembly • *Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu* — Defence contractor and key State witness • *Emile Van der Merwe* — State prosecutor • *Major-General Noel Ndhlovu* — Former SANDF Deputy Surgeon-General KEY ISSUES • Alleged R250,000 cash payment • The disputed gift bag • SANDF spouses' forum • Alleged “padkos” code word • Meetings between Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu • Alleged corruption payments • Mapisa-Nqakula's defence and denials • Evidence presented during cross-examination • Money-laundering allegations This video covers the court proceedings and evidence heard on **23 September 2026**. #NosiviweMapisaNqakula #MapisaNqakula #MapisaNqakulaTrial #CorruptionTrial #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanPolitics #PretoriaHighCourt #GautengHighCourt #Corruption #MoneyLaundering #NombasaNtsondwaNdhlovu #SANDF #SouthAfricaNews