By Palesa Matlala
- Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula returns to court over corruption charges linked to payments of almost R4.5-million from a military contractor.
- Musician Shebe Maburna will try for bail again while more witnesses are expected in the inquest into Anele Tembe’s death.
It is another packed day in South Africa’s courts, with former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula among the big names expected back in the dock.
Mapisa-Nqakula back in the hot seat:
Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will continue giving evidence in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday.
She faces 12 corruption charges and one money laundering charge linked to payments totalling almost R4.5-million.
Military contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu claims Mapisa-Nqakula asked her for money and used words including “impepho” and “indumba” as code for payments.
Mapisa-Nqakula denies receiving bribes but has admitted accepting gifts from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, including a wig.
She is expected to face more questions when the trial continues.
Scharnick waits for bail decision:
Businessman Stuart Scharnick will find out on Wednesday whether he will be released on bail.
The Randburg Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg is expected to deliver its decision.
Scharnick faces several firearm related charges, including claims that he failed to properly store a firearm and gave a weapon to someone who was not allowed to have it.
He was arrested after an incident at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, where he is accused of intimidating a journalist who was taking photographs.
New evidence stalls Matlala case:
The Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala trial has hit another delay after the defence handed prosecutors around 100 pages of vehicle tracking records.
The records contain information from 15 vehicles that may have been used on the day accused Musa Kekana was arrested.
State advocate Elizabeth Le Roux called the last minute evidence an “ambush”.
Matlala’s lawyer Anneline van den Heever hit back and called Le Roux’s comments “unprofessional”.
There was more drama after court when Matlala and two co-accused clashed with police over their request to speak to their lawyers.
Judge Cassim Moosa ordered police to allow them to consult their lawyers.
Shebe Maburna tries for bail again:
Lekompo musician Lehlogonolo “Shebe Maburna” Chauke is expected to make a third attempt to get bail on Wednesday.
He will return to the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court with a new lawyer and is expected to base his application on new facts.
Shebe Maburna faces 21 charges, including four counts of attempted murder.
His second bail application was rejected last month. He later appealed in the Polokwane High Court but lost that bid too.
Judge Karin Pillay said Shebe Maburna committed Schedule 6 offences while already out on bail.
More witnesses in Anele Tembe inquest:
More witnesses are expected to give evidence in the Anele Tembe inquest at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Tembe was 22 when she fell from the 10th floor of a Cape Town hotel in April 2021. She was engaged to late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.
Two police officers have told the court they did not know whether Tembe’s family was contacted after her death.
One officer said Forbes did not ask police to contact the family.
Another witness, who lived near the hotel, said he heard an argument between a man and woman shortly before Tembe’s death.
Pictured above: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Image source: File
