Defence dept confirms Mapisa-Nqakula's request for state funding of her corruption trial

Defence Minister Thandi Modise's office confirmed that corruption-accused former Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had applied for state legal funding of her trial – and revealed that a senior legal official had "actioned" the request without proper approval.

In a statement released on Friday, Modise's office said Mapisa-Nqakula's 19 April funding request "unfortunately came through the office of Head of Legal Service in the South African National Defence Force, Major-General Eric Mnisi, who then actioned it prior to seeking counsel from either the minister or Secretary of Defence Dr Thobekile Gamede, who is also the accounting officer, particularly on matters that have financial implications on the department".

"General Mnisi's handling of the matter without following existing protocols is tantamount to disrespect of executive authority in the Department of Defence," the statement read.