Test span in and text blurb This is another paragraph.
No Author
Unknown Author
5 Aug 2026
PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: People walk next to debris of a collapsed building near Plaza Bolivar after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)
Analysis
This article is an Analysis. It goes beyond the basic facts of a news story to provide deeper context, explanation and interpretation. While it may include the author's judgment and expertise, it aims to be more objective.
The interior designer behind the extensive renovation of former defence minister and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home has told the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria she was paid exclusively in cash for the project.
Editing the caption. People react after Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final; in Ramallah, the West Bank, 20 July 2026. EPA/MAGDA GIBELLI
The cost of the project climbed to nearly R1.8-million, the court heard, including R600,000 for curtains made from imported fabric.
Nomsa Patricia Betty Shabangu, an interior designer who said she has known Mapisa-Nqakula for about 22 years and considered her a sister, testified on Tuesday that she oversaw the renovations at Mapisa-Nqakula’s Bruma, Johannesburg, home between 2018 and 2020.
“smart quotes”
hello
hello
hello
Her evidence forms part of the State’s corruption and money laundering case against Mapisa-Nqakula, who has pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges.
A supporter of France gathers at a rally in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. France meets Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match at Dallas Stadium on 14 July 2026. EPA/SAM WASSON People react after Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final; in Ramallah, the West Bank, 20 July 2026. EPA/MAGDA GIBELLI Brian Padayachee, senior investigator at IDAC testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Brigette Mabandla Judicial College on July 14, 2026 in Pretoria. (Photo: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu) Chef Travis Finch laughs readily. Even in the heat of the pass, at Arum. (Photo: Matthew Keil)
At the heart of the trial is the State’s allegation that Mapisa-Nqakula abused her position as minister of defence by soliciting or receiving money from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, whose company, Umkhombe Marine, secured lucrative defence-related contracts.
The State alleges that between December 2016 and July 2019, Mapisa-Nqakula requested about R4.5-million in unlawful benefits, including cash for renovations.
A supporter of France gathers at a rally in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. France meets Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match at Dallas Stadium on 14 July 2026. EPA/SAM WASSON Brian Padayachee, senior investigator at IDAC testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Brigette Mabandla Judicial College on July 14, 2026 in Pretoria. (Photo: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu) People react after Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final; in Ramallah, the West Bank, 20 July 2026. EPA/MAGDA GIBELLI
Chef Travis Finch laughs readily. Even in the heat of the pass, at Arum. (Photo: Matthew Keil) People react after Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final; in Ramallah, the West Bank, 20 July 2026. EPA/MAGDA GIBELLI SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Taliesin Don poses at the "One Night Only" Australian Premiere at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on August 11, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) Passengers wait for information regarding their transfer to other airports on the island, in Catania, Sicily, Italy, 11 August 2026. The volcanic activity of Mount Etna caused the suspension of all flights arriving at and departing from Catania Airport. EPA/ORIETTA SCARDINO PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: View of debris from a collapsed building at the city center after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images) PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: A collapsed building at the Primero de Febrero neighborhood after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images) PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: People walk next to debris of a collapsed building near Plaza Bolivar after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)
PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: People walk next to debris of a collapsed building near Plaza Bolivar after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)/file/attachments/2865/14162573_425394.jpg "People react after Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final; in Ramallah, the West Bank, 20 July 2026. EPA/MAGDA GIBELLI")
/file/attachments/2865/14148944_142860.jpg "A supporter of France gathers at a rally in Dallas, Texas, USA, 13 July 2026. France meets Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match at Dallas Stadium on 14 July 2026. EPA/SAM WASSON")
/file/attachments/2865/ED_615484_822663_115471.jpg "Brian Padayachee, senior investigator at IDAC testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at Brigette Mabandla Judicial College on July 14, 2026 in Pretoria. (Photo: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu)")
/file/attachments/2865/travis-kitchen1_468268_289329.jpg "Chef Travis Finch laughs readily. Even in the heat of the pass, at Arum. (Photo: Matthew Keil)")
/file/attachments/2865/pictest_213731.jpg)
/file/attachments/2865/WhatsAppImage2026-07-23at124340_903996.jpeg)
/file/attachments/2865/image_276319.jpeg "SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Taliesin Don poses at the \"One Night Only\" Australian Premiere at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on August 11, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)")
/file/attachments/2865/14206139_605153.jpg "Passengers wait for information regarding their transfer to other airports on the island, in Catania, Sicily, Italy, 11 August 2026. The volcanic activity of Mount Etna caused the suspension of all flights arriving at and departing from Catania Airport. EPA/ORIETTA SCARDINO")
/file/attachments/2865/image_418248.jpeg "PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: View of debris from a collapsed building at the city center after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)")
/file/attachments/2865/image_650743.jpeg "PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: A collapsed building at the Primero de Febrero neighborhood after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)")
/file/attachments/2865/image_515508.jpeg "PEREIRA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 10: People walk next to debris of a collapsed building near Plaza Bolivar after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, 2026 in Pereira, Colombia. President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed over 100 deaths after buildings collapsed in the southern region of Colombia. The USGS put the earthquake at a 7.4 magnitude. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)")
Comments
Scroll down to load comments...