Embroiled in a corruption scandal, former parliament speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has sparked controversy inside the Department of Defence by asking for legal representation for her impending trial without first consulting the senior brass.
Defense Minister Thandi Modise voiced his displeasure with the request’s treatment in a statement on Friday. She disclosed that Mapisa-Nqakula had not consulted a lawyer before requesting legal aid for her corruption prosecution.
Money laundering and corruption
Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of embezzlement and money laundering totaling more than R4 million.
It is reported that she accepted the money in bribery while serving as the defense minister.
She made her request via Eric Mnisi, the Major General. The aforementioned Mnisi is the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) head of legal services.
Modise has acknowledged that Mnisi fulfilled the request without first speaking with Thobekile Gamede or her.
The latter serves as both the department’s accounting officer and secretary of defense.
Modise expressed her disapproval and emphasized the need to adhere to the correct procedures, especially when it comes to situations involving the department’s finances. She told Gamede to look into the matter, criticizing Mnisi’s behavior as disrespectful to presidential authority.
Modise brought attention to the anomalies in the way Mapisa-Nqakula’s request was handled.
She emphasized that these kinds of issues need to be carefully considered. This is especially true in light of the possible financial ramifications.
Adjust displeased
“Unfortunately, the request was made through Major General Eric Mnisi’s office, who oversees legal services for the Defense Force. He then took action on it before consulting the minister or the financial officer and secretary of defense, Dr. Thobekile Gamede. This is especially true for issues that affect the department’s finances.
“General Mnisi’s handling of the situation outside of established procedures amounts to disdain for the Department of Defense’s executive power. The minister gave Dr. Gamede instructions to investigate general Mnisi’s handling of the situation. From an administrative and procedural perspective, this. The statement states, “For such requests, there are protocols that must be followed.”
Bail with conditions on travel
Mapisa-Nqakula is no longer a member of Parliament and resigned as speaker earlier this month. In August 2021, she and Thandi Modise switched jobs.
The former speaker is free on bond but is subject to travel limitations. On June 4, she is scheduled to appear in court again to answer to the twelve counts of corruption and money laundering. These have to do with contracts that were given out when she was the minister of defense.
