Former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has denied allegations that the word “wig” was used as a code for a cash bribe during her corruption trial in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
Also see: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula continues High Court testimony as state raises junior counsel concerns
According to TimesLIVE, Nosiviwe is facing 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. The charges stem from allegations that she solicited and received about R4.5 million from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu while serving as defence minister between 2016 and 2019.
The former minister returned to the witness stand on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, to give her version of events surrounding a wig that has become a key part of the State’s case.
‘I wanted an actual wig’
Nombasa, who is the State’s key witness, previously told the court that “wig” was one of several code words allegedly used to disguise requests for money. She claimed that R300,000 in cash was concealed beneath a wig that was handed to Nosiviwe at the Defence VIP Lounge at OR Tambo International Airport, the publication reported.
Nosiviwe rejected that version. She told the court that when she spoke to Nombasa about a wig, she was referring to an actual hairpiece. According to her testimony, she had complimented the businesswoman’s hairstyle during the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition at Waterkloof Air Force Base in September 2018.
Nosiviwe said she told Nombasa that she liked the wig and asked her to organise one. She wanted a small, short and lightweight hairpiece because she was not accustomed to wearing wigs.
She said the wig was eventually delivered months later while she was preparing to travel to Ethiopia.
According to Nosiviwe, Nombasa arrived at the airport’s VIP lounge shortly before she was due to board her flight. She handed the package to one of Nosiviwe’s officials to put into her luggage.
The former minister said the package contained only the wig, which was inside a small transparent drawstring bag.
She also denied berating Nombasa for arriving late, saying she had no reason to be angry with someone who had given her a gift.
MAPISA-NQAKULA TRIAL | Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says she had asked Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu for a wig, adding that she rarely wears wigs and usually prefers a shaved head or headscarf. pic.twitter.com/LcozAY43hV
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 8, 2026
Also see: Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s ‘crocodile tears’ gain no sympathy from public
State alleges coded language was used
The State’s case is that the alleged wig was not simply a gift.
According to the above-mentioned publication, Nombasa previously testified that she and Nosiviwe agreed to use words including “wig,” “impepho” and “indumba” as code for financial transactions. She alleged that the former minister received several payments as part of a broader bribery scheme.
Nosiviwe has denied that such an agreement existed and maintains that she never solicited or received money from the contractor.
She has also denied allegations that the late defence secretary, Dr Sam Gulube, requested money from Nombasa on her behalf.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the former minister’s testimony comes after the High Court dismissed her application seeking a discharge from the case under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, allowing the corruption trial to continue.
The trial continues, with Nosiviwe expected to respond to further allegations against her, including claims involving alleged cash payments and foreign currency.
Also see: ‘Resignation is not a sign of guilt,’ says the former speaker
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