2nd accused to be added in Mapisa-Nqakula’s bribery case

The state has confirmed that a second accused will be added in the bribery case against former National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

The embattled former Parliament Speaker was granted R50 000 bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today after handing herself over at the Lyttelton Police Station.

Her husband, who is also a former Defence Minister, Charles Nqakula, and the country’s former Deputy President, Baleka Mbete, were among some of her supporters in the courtroom.

The 67-year-old Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of soliciting bribes to the tune of R4.5 million during her tenure as the Defence Minister.

State Prosecutor, Bheki MaNyathi, has told the court that while investigations into the second accused are complete, the state needs more time to finalise details around the apprehending of the accused person.

Asked to comment on the identity of the second accused, the state would not divulge details.

The state cited Mapisa-Nqakula’s willingness to hand herself over to police, and her “senior” age as reasons not to oppose bail today.

The former National Assembly Speaker’s bail conditions include that she hands over her passport to authorities and that strict rules be placed on her movements.

The case has been postponed to the 4th of June, with the second accused expected to be announced then.

During court submissions, Mapisa-Nqakula cited overcrowding and the poor state of the country’s jails as one of the reasons why she should be granted bail. Written by Naomi Kobbie