Lawyers for corruption-accused Mapisa-Nqakula want more info on police's evidence-gathering processes

JOHANNESBURG - The State and the lawyers of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula are set to duel it out in court over the evidence-gathering process that led to the former parliamentary Speaker being charged with corruption.

Mapisa-Nqakula made a brief appearance first appearance at the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday morning.

She is charged with 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering.

The charges relate to Mapisa-Nqakula’s time as defence minister, when she allegedly solicited and received kickbacks amounting to R4.5 million from a defence contractor.

In a familiar sight for this case, Mapisa-Nqakula arrived in court surrounded by a small group of friends and family, including her husband and former minister, Charles Nqakula.

State prosecutor, Bheki Manyathi, said that there were still outstanding issues before the matter could move to trial.

"It was indicated in the lower court that the defence seeks disclosure of the B and C sections of the docket, as well as the pocketbooks of the police officers involved in the matter."

Section B of the police docket deals with official correspondence by the investigating officer and section C is the investigating diary.

The matter has been adjourned to 5 December, where the defence's application to disclose these sections will be heard.