Proceedings in the corruption trial of former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula were adjourned early on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, after she fell ill while testifying in the Pretoria High Court. Mapisa-Nqakula, who faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering, was unable to return to the stand after a short break and required medical attention, according to TimesLive and EWN.

Evidence Centreed On WhatsApp Messages And Banking Records

Before the adjournment, the court had been examining WhatsApp messages between Mapisa-Nqakula and SANDF logistics contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, with prosecutors probing whether the two used coded language to discuss payments. According to EWN, Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu previously testified that codes were embedded in their exchanges, while Mapisa-Nqakula disputed this, insisting the messages meant exactly what was written.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mapisa-Nqakula told the court that some transaction references in her financial records did not correspond accurately with the dates of her trips, attributing discrepancies to administrative delays by her assistants and the finance department, according to EWN. The charges against her stem from allegations that she solicited R4.5 million in bribes, including R2.1 million paid in cash, from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019, when Mapisa-Nqakula served as defence minister. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Defence Signals Section 174 Application And Further Delays

Her legal representative, Makhi Nogaga, told TimesLive that his client was visibly fatigued.

The main issue is that she’s tired. She went to consult with her doctor because it was visible that she was no longer OK. Even yesterday, she looked like she was fatigued.

Nogaga added that the court process is gruelling even for experienced practitioners and said the defence would await the doctor’s findings before confirming whether she could continue. Proceedings were postponed to Thursday, 10 September 2026. The trial, which began on 20 July 2026, has experienced multiple delays, including a postponement on 20 August 2026 when Mapisa-Nqakula’s lawyers said they had not received all court transcripts. According to eNCA, her legal team was also expected to apply for dismissal of charges under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which permits discharge if the court finds no prima facie case has been established. The court is expected to resume its examination of the WhatsApp exchanges when proceedings continue.