By Zuko Komisa

- The corruption trial of former Parliamentary Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been adjourned until 20 August 2026.
- The defence team requested the delay to obtain trial transcripts and apply for a discharge under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
- Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering after allegedly soliciting R4.5 million from a defence service provider.
The High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Pretoria) has postponed the corruption trial of former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to 20 August 2026.
The adjournment was granted following a request from her legal team, who require official transcripts of the trial proceedings to file for a discharge.
The state has formally closed its case, leaving the court awaiting heads of argument from Mapisa-Nqakula’s defence.
The application will be submitted under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows an accused person to seek acquittal if they argue the prosecution has failed to present sufficient evidence for a conviction.
Confirming the current stage of the legal proceedings, the official court update noted:
“The accused placed it on record in court that she will be filing for a discharge in the matter. The state has closed its case and it will await the heads of arguments from the accused in order to draft a reply.”
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering.
Prosecutors allege that during her tenure as Minister of Defence, she solicited R4.5 million from a service provider, receiving R2.1 million in cash payments. The state will prepare its written response once the defence submits its arguments.
READ NEXT: Alleged gangster remanded over murder of two police officers and civilians in Reiger Park