The high-profile corruption case against former National Assembly Speaker and ex-Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been postponed to 21 November 2025, following proceedings at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.

The postponement came after Mapisa-Nqakula’s legal team requested more time to consult on the docket provided by the state. Her attorney indicated that they may also submit representations to the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), raising the possibility of legal challenges before the trial gets underway.

Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and money laundering, with allegations that she solicited and received more than R4.5 million in unlawful gratification during her tenure as Defence Minister. Court documents allege that she directly received at least R2.1 million in cash payments from a service provider doing business with the Department of Defence.

In a dramatic moment inside the packed courtroom, Mapisa-Nqakula broke down in tears as the state outlined parts of its case against her. She was visibly emotional, wiping her eyes and leaning on her attorney for support, a rare public display of vulnerability from the once powerful politician.

Her lawyers signalled an aggressive defence strategy, requesting access to the banking records of the businesswoman who allegedly paid the bribes. They argued that the financial trail would be key to determining whether the payments were legitimate business transactions or corrupt dealings.

Legal experts say this could become a pivotal point in the case. “If the defence can prove that the businesswoman’s accounts don’t reflect the alleged payments, it could weaken the state’s argument,” explained a Pretoria-based attorney. “But if the records confirm the money trail, it would strengthen the prosecution’s hand.”

The gallery was packed with Mapisa-Nqakula’s supporters, political observers, and critics. Her tearful breakdown drew mixed reactions. Some supporters, many of them ANC Women’s League members, shook their heads in sympathy and whispered prayers, insisting she was being unfairly targeted.

“We stand by Mama Nosiviwe. She has served this country with dignity, and these charges are politically motivated,” said one supporter outside court, refusing to be named.

But critics in the courtroom were less forgiving. Some muttered that her tears were “crocodile tears,” pointing to the devastating impact corruption has had on ordinary South Africans. Outside the court, a small group of protesters held placards reading “No One Is Above the Law” and “R4.5m Could Build Schools.”

One political analyst said the divided reactions reflected South Africa’s ongoing struggle with accountability.

“You have one camp that views her as a victim of factional battles, and another that sees her as the embodiment of ANC corruption. The courtroom today was a microcosm of the national mood,” he noted.

Mapisa-Nqakula, once regarded as one of the most powerful women in the ruling ANC, has seen her career collapse under the weight of corruption allegations. The scandal has not only tarnished her personal legacy but has also fueled fresh criticism of the ANC’s commitment to fighting corruption ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Opposition parties, however, have pounced on the case. The Democratic Alliance (DA) described the allegations as “further proof of the ANC’s deep-rooted corruption,” while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said the matter underscored why “fresh leadership is urgently required in government.”

The state’s case rests heavily on financial records and testimony from service providers who allegedly paid bribes in exchange for lucrative defence contracts. With the defence now pressing for banking records and the next appearance set for November, the showdown promises to be fierce.

For now, Mapisa-Nqakula remains out on R50,000 bail, but her tearful breakdown in court underscored the immense personal and political pressure she faces. If convicted, she could face lengthy imprisonment, hefty fines, and the final end to her decades-long political career.

As one of the most high-profile corruption cases since the State Capture era, the trial of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is set to test not only her resilience but also South Africa’s resolve in the fight against political corruption.