Corruption-accused Mapisa-Nqakula changes lawyers; case postponed to June
JOHANNESBURG - Disgraced former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has changed lawyers in her corruption matter before the Pretoria High Court.
She made a brief appearance in the dock on Friday, where she faces 12 counts of fraud and money laundering.
The former Speaker allegedly received R4.5 million in kickbacks from a contractor when she was defence minister.
She's maintained her innocence, claiming the charges were politically motivated.
Mapisa-Nqakula returned to the dock on Friday morning, taking a seat right at the centre and keeping her head down until her matter was called.
Her lawyer, Advocate Graham Kerr-Philips, told the court that they would no longer be on the case.
"We appear to inform your lordship that our attorney's mandate has been withdrawn, so we are here to withdraw with your lordship's consent and to hand over to those who will take over from us."
After Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed the changes, her new lawyer, Advocate Cronje Kriel, came on record.
"We have been briefed, we have been in contact with our learned colleagues."
At the same time, the court is yet to receive the outcome of representations made by Mapisa-Nqakula's lawyers to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shamila Batohi.
The matter has been postponed to June.
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