Former Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been granted bail of R50,000 in her corruption case at the Pretoria Magistrates Court.
Mapisa-Nqakula made her first appearance before the court on Thursday – after resigning from her top job.
Presiding Magistrate Anna Oosthuizen says she is satisfied that Mapisa-Mqakula is not a flight risk and will co-operate with the police.
Oosthuizen said the court considered Mapisa-Nqakula’s advanced age, health and personal circumstances.
Mapisa-Nqakula is facing several counts of fraud and corruption.
The State alleges she received over R4,4 million in kickbacks from a defence contractor when she was the Minister of Defence.
Sporting a gold and blue three-piece kente outfit, Mapisa-Nqakula stood alone in the dock.
Sitting on the bench behind her was her husband, Charles Nqakula, former deputy president Baleka Mbete and other close friends.
Mapisa-Nqakula’s lawyer Graham Kerr-Phillips explained to the court that his client would suffer physical and emotional damage if she were not granted bail.
On an ironic note, Mapisa-Nqakula – who is also the former Minister of Correctional Services -highlighted to the court that South African prisons are overpopulated, unhygienic and riddled with disease.
-EWN
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