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The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Emotional Mapisa-Nqakula might apply to have charges withdrawn as corruption case postponed
The former speaker had her bail conditions extended. Former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's corruption case has been postponed, while her defence team has indicated it may seek to have the charges dropped. Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday. This followed a partial victory in April when she succeeded in compelling the state to disclose parts of the case docket. Mapisa-Nqakula corruption case: Defence requests more time During Monday's proceedings, her new lawyer, Advocate Cronje Kriel, informed Judge Mokhine 'Papi' Mosopa that he had not had sufficient time to study the docket, which consists of 26 arch lever files, as he only received it last week. 'At this stage, we are working on a docket that we have not finalised and we haven't perused it,' he said. ALSO READ: Mapisa-Nqakula's legal team accuses state of 'hiding something' in corruption case Kriel also revealed that the defence intends to subpoena bank statements linked to the money laundering and corruption charges against his client. He estimated the process would take six weeks. Mosopa, however, expressed concern about further delays in a case that has already faced setbacks. 'Six weeks is a very long time,' he remarked. Possible representations to NDPP State prosecutor Paul Louw told the court that the defence plans to make representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, to determine whether there is a case to answer. A representation is a formal request made to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) by an accused person to challenge the decision to prosecute. If successful, it can lead to the withdrawal of charges. Louw asked for the case to be provisionally postponed until 21 November. 'This is for the defence to take instructions and possibly to make representations and for a result to those representations,' he said. READ MORE: Mapisa-Nqakula no longer holds diplomatic status, court hears as she seeks relaxation of bail conditions The defence confirmed that the matter would again face another postponement when it returns on that date. Mosopa noted that the state was not opposed to the subpoena of bank records or the filing of representations. Therefore, he granted the postponement, while addressing Mapisa-Nqakula directly. 'Please take this time to consult with your counsel so that on the 21 of November we have a clear direction,' the judge told Mapisa-Nqakula. The former speaker, who appeared emotional in court, had her bail conditions extended. During proceedings, she appeared to be wiping tears from her eyes. Mapisa-Nqakula bribes Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 corruption charges along with a single count of money laundering. The charges relate to allegations that, while serving as defence minister from June 2012 to August 2021, she solicited and received R2 million in bribes from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. She allegedly received the bribes between December 2016 and July 2019. Mapisa-Nqakula unsuccessfully attempted to block her arrest, with the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissing her interdict application in April 2024. She then decided to hand herself to the police. Her request for assistance with her legal bill for the corruption case was rejected by the Department of Defence. Mapisa-Nqakula resigned from Parliament as the speaker shortly after her home was raided by law enforcement. NOW READ: Mapisa-Nqakula being 'punished' for Phala Phala probe
Eyewitness News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
NPA's Batohi yet to give a decision on representations made by Mapisa-Nqakula
JOHANNESBURG - National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi is yet to give a decision on representations made by former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Mapisa-Nqakula returned to the Pretoria High Court on Friday for her corruption and money laundering case. READ: Corruption-accused Mapisa-Nqakula changes lawyers; case postponed to June She is accused of receiving R1.7 million in kickbacks in exchange for tenders when she was the defence minister. On Friday, the court was set to receive an update on submissions Mapisa-Nqakula made to Batohi's office, but State prosecutor Paul Louw addressed Judge Papi Mosopa on the process. Mosopa: "That process is not yet finalised?" Louw: "My lord, I do not know." Mosopa: "Are you not being kept abreast? Louw: "What I have been told is that the decision will be imminent next week."
The Herald
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Rape accused bishop Zondo's request for judge to recuse himself denied
Pretoria high court judge Papi Mosopa has rejected an application brought by Rivers of Living Waters Ministries bishop Stephen Zondo for his recusal in his rape matter. 'The application for my recusal as the presiding judge in the trial of the applicant is hereby refused,' Mosopa said. The judge said he could not recuse himself based on unsubstantial grounds and emphasised that he was not biased and that he did not fail in upholding his oath. 'I do not have an interest in the outcome of this matter,' he said. The application comes after Zondo's several applications, including an application for a discharge of some counts in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. In the discharge application, Zondo's advocate Piet Pistorius argued that the evidence against him was plotted. Mosopa denied this application, saying Zondo had a case to answer. Zondo faces 10 charges in which he is accused of raping seven women — mostly members of his church. According to testimonies heard in court, Zondo's alleged modus operandi was to lure women into his office to pray for them, only to sexually assault or rape them. The court heard witnesses who gave their accounts in open court and in camera of how they were allegedly raped in Zondo's office. In another instance, Zondo allegedly raped a former member of his church and her child. One witness recounted how Zondo raped her and later told her: 'Thanks for trusting me with your body.' A sister of one of the alleged victims testified on Tuesday that the pastor put his genitals in the victim's mouth. Pretorius asked that the matter be stood down for him to reflect and consider the judgment, if necessary, and take instructions from his client. The matter has been postponed to a provisional date on May 22 for Pretorius to take instructions on the judgment. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
23-04-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Rape accused bishop Zondo's request for judge to recuse himself denied
Pretoria high court judge Papi Mosopa has rejected an application brought by Rivers of Living Waters Ministries bishop Stephen Zondo for his recusal in his rape matter. 'The application for my recusal as the presiding judge in the trial of the applicant is hereby refused,' Mosopa said. The judge said he could not recuse himself based on unsubstantial grounds and emphasised that he was not biased and that he did not fail in upholding his oath. 'I do not have an interest in the outcome of this matter,' he said. The application comes after Zondo's several applications, including an application for a discharge of some counts in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. In the discharge application, Zondo's advocate Piet Pistorius argued that the evidence against him was plotted. Mosopa denied this application, saying Zondo had a case to answer. Zondo faces 10 charges in which he is accused of raping seven women — mostly members of his church. According to testimonies heard in court, Zondo's alleged modus operandi was to lure women into his office to pray for them, only to sexually assault or rape them. The court heard witnesses who gave their accounts in open court and in camera of how they were allegedly raped in Zondo's office. In another instance, Zondo allegedly raped a former member of his church and her child. One witness recounted how Zondo raped her and later told her: 'Thanks for trusting me with your body.' A sister of one of the alleged victims testified on Tuesday that the pastor put his genitals in the victim's mouth. Pretorius asked that the matter be stood down for him to reflect and consider the judgment, if necessary, and take instructions from his client. The matter has been postponed to a provisional date on May 22 for Pretorius to take instructions on the judgment.
