The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard detailed testimony regarding extensive renovations at the Bruma, Johannesburg home of former defence minister and National Assembly Speaker Timeslive, according to court proceedings. The state alleges that the former minister made cash payments totaling roughly R1.7m to R1.8m for the home improvements, using funds believed to stem from kickbacks and bribes.
Gauteng High Court Hears Details of Mapisa-Nqakula Home Renovations
Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering involving approximately R4.5m in cash bribes and benefits. The state alleges these were solicited between 2016 and 2019 from South African National Defence Force (SANDF) contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu of Timeslive. Prosecutors contend that out of the total bribe money, Mapisa-Nqakula received roughly R2.1m in cash to help fund her residential upgrades, and further accuse her of demanding a R2m bribe to secure a promotion for Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s husband, former SANDF deputy surgeon-general Maj-Gen Noel Ndhlovu. Mapisa-Nqakula has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Interior Designer Details Cash-Funded Upgrades and Decor Costs
Interior designer Nomsa Patricia Betty Shabangu testified in dailymaverick.co.za that she oversaw renovations at the property between 2018 and 2020. Shabangu stated she had known Mapisa-Nqakula for about 22 years after being introduced by the late former Mpumalanga MEC Steve Mabona in 2004, describing the former minister as being like a sister
to her.
According to Shabangu, work initially began with an estimated construction cost of about R352,000 for materials, excluding labour costs ranging between R100,000 and R115,000. However, escalating scope pushed total materials and labour costs to about R1.1m. An additional R600,000 was spent on furniture and custom-made double-volume curtains sourced from specialized imported fabric, bringing total renovation costs to between R1.7m and R1.8m. Shabangu confirmed that all payments were made exclusively in cash in private handovers conducted by Mapisa-Nqakula, her husband Charles Nqakula, or both, noting that cash was standard practice because the former minister did not know how to make Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs).
Architectural Testimony and Outstanding Balances
Engineer and architectural designer Azwindini Emmanuel Mulaudzi also testified, stating he was introduced to the Nqakulas by Shabangu in February 2018 to draft alterations for the Bruma house. Mulaudzi submitted an initial quotation for R69,682 and received a R20,000 cash deposit through Shabangu, followed by a R50,000 cash payment directly from Mapisa-Nqakula and her husband at their residence in July 2018. While his plans were partially implemented, Mulaudzi stated he was never paid for subsequent plan modifications.
Regarding furnishings, Shabangu stated she received R400,000 in installments between 2018 and 2020 for the R600,000 decor total, with a final payment in 2022. The remaining R200,000 balance for curtains was never settled. Shabangu testified that Mapisa-Nqakula originally promised to clear the debt upon her planned 2019 retirement, a timeline pushed back when she was appointed Speaker of Parliament in 2021. Following her arrest in 2024, Mapisa-Nqakula promised to settle the balance using her pension upon retirement, but Shabangu was subsequently advised to cease all communication with the accused.
