In South Africa, former defense minister explains wig handover to court
At the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, former National Assembly speaker and former defense minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told the court that a wig handed to her by businesswoman Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu was a real wig, not a cover for transferring R300,000 in cash. Daily Maverick reports.
Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, a defense contractor, had previously testified that the word “wig” was allegedly a code term for a request for money. According to her version, the cash was handed over in a bag under a wig in the VIP lounge of the defense department at OR Tambo International Airport.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s version
The former minister told the court that she asked Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu to find her a wig after a 2018 event where the businesswoman was the programme coordinator. According to her, she complimented Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s hairstyle and asked for help finding a small and light wig. Mapisa-Nqakula claims that she asked twice about its availability and even offered to buy it herself.
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According to the accused, the wig was handed to her several months later, in 2019, when she was preparing to fly to Addis Ababa. She stated that the wig was in a small transparent bag and was immediately handed to one of her team members. Mapisa-Nqakula also denied paying for the wig or scolding Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu over the delay in delivering it.
Judge’s questions and charges
Judge Mashudu Munzhelele drew attention to a photograph dated September 20, 2018, in which Mapisa-Nqakula is pictured wearing a wig. Earlier, the former minister said that she did not usually wear wigs and preferred natural hair or a headscarf. She replied that the photograph showed a wig styled as braids and explained that she wore such items only on certain occasions.
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. According to the prosecution, between 2016 and 2019 she allegedly solicited and received about R4.55 million from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu. She has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations. The trial is ongoing.
