PRETORIA - Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday as her long-awaited corruption trial officially began, more than two years after her arrest and subsequent release on R50,000 bail.
The case centres on allegations dating back to her tenure as Defence Minister.
Prosecutors accuse Mapisa-Nqakula of accepting R4.5-million in bribes from Defence Department contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, with R2.1-million allegedly handed over in cash.
The State claims the payments were made in 12 separate transactions and alleges that some of the money was used to renovate her Johannesburg home.
She faces a possible 30-year prison term if she is convicted of money laundering.
Mapisa-Nqakula pleaded not guilty before Judge Mashudu Munzhelele, rejecting the corruption allegations.
While the defence acknowledged that renovations were carried out at her home during the period in question, it insisted that she and her husband paid for the work themselves.
Her legal team also disputed the State's claim that she had no other source of income besides her salary as a minister and Member of Parliament.
Prosecutor Emile van der Merwe told the court that the first 12 corruption charges each carry a prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment if there is a conviction.
The 13th charge, relating to money laundering, carries a prescribed minimum sentence of 30 years' imprisonment or a fine of R100-million.
The prosecution says it has assembled a strong case, with 28 witnesses expected to testify.
Evidence is set to include WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, bank statements, a financial investigation report and other documentary evidence aimed at proving the State's allegations.
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The defence indicated that it may also call witnesses during the trial.
Mapisa-Nqakula chose not to make an opening statement, a decision her legal team described as a strategic choice that allows the State to present its case first before the defence responds.
Among the State's first witnesses was UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who testified that he initially reported the allegations to Parliament.
Attention will now turn to the testimony of key State witness Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who is expected to take the stand on Thursday.
Prosecutors anticipate spending much of the coming week leading her evidence before the defence begins cross-examination, in what is expected to be one of South Africa's most closely watched corruption trials.
- eNCA's Moloko Moloto reports.