Mapisa-Nqakula’s lawyer says her absence from court due to ill health

Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team has stated that her failure to appear in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday was due to ill health.

No sick note was initially presented, resulting in the court issuing a warrant of arrest.

The warrant will, however, be held over until the 11th of November when the trial resumes.

The former minister is facing corruption and money laundering charges, for allegedly soliciting payments from a defence contractor, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.

Mapisa-Nqakula alleged solicited over R4 million in bribes from the contractor while serving as Defence Minister between 2016 and 2019.

“It was expected. She was not well from the last time that we were in court or wherever. Of course, not being well, we can’t do any diagnosis because we are not medical practitioners. And then she was given an opportunity to go and consult with the doctor. And then the doctor decided, after her consultation, of course, that she needed to be given some time to rest, some time to recover. There was a conversation. Therefore, to answer your question, her reason for absence is due to wellness. There is a bit of misunderstanding of the process.” says Makhi Nogaga, attorney for Mapisa-Nqakula.

Video: Mapisa-Nqakula absent from court due to ill health