Case against former defence minister is one step closer to trial

JOHANNESBURG - The corruption case of former parliamentary speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is one step closer to trial.

She is set to appear in the Pretoria High Court on Friday.

Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of soliciting and receiving bribes amounting to R4.5 million from a defence contractor during her time as defence minister.

The case returns back to court after a three-month break.

The time in between was to allow for the state to disclose all the documents requested by Mapisa-Nqakula's lawyers.

This includes all relevant correspondence between the investigating officer and the prosecution team.

Mapisa-Nqakula is also requesting documents relating to the state's star witness, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.

The state initially wanted to contest Mapisa-Nqakula's requests, however said it would co-operate in the interest of getting the matter to trial quickly.