A new witness in the corruption trial of Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has told the court that she received an anonymous threat last week.
Moira Seape, who introduced Mapisa-Nqakula to defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndlovu, said the message accused her of assisting investigators from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in building what it described as a “non-existent case”.
Seape told the court that the message also warned her to be careful.
Her testimony comes as Mapisa-Nqakula faces allegations that she solicited and accepted bribes from Ntsondwa-Ndlovu, which the minister has denied.
Mapisa-Nqakula has acknowledged that Ntsondwa-Ndlovu visited her home but maintains that the visits were innocent and unrelated to any improper dealings.
The defence has also rejected Ntsondwa-Ndlovu’s claim that a request for a “wig” made in November 2018 was a coded reference to money.
Seape said she arranged a meeting between Mapisa-Nqakula and Ntsondwa-Ndlovu at the request of the late Defence Secretary Sam Gulube.
She maintained that there was nothing improper about the meeting.
The court is expected to hear evidence from two additional witnesses on Friday as the corruption trial continues.