By Staff Reporter
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) said on Friday that former Minister of Finance, Home Affairs and Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba, had not been placed under arrest.
IDAC’s statement was issued just hours after Gigaba issued his own statement, from his private office, saying he would be surrendering to authorities on Friday over Transnet procurement contracts.
“Kindly note that Mr Malusi Gigaba has not been placed under arrest. He is engaging IDAC and there will be no court appearance today. IDAC will not be commenting any further on the matter,” said spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
In his early morning statement Gigaba, who is currently the co-chair of parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence, said he had been informed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that he was “required to attend court on 7 November 2025, where he will be formally charged in connection with the ongoing proceedings related to procurement activities at Transnet SOC Ltd”.
Gigaba said he would cooperate with the process.
“I respect the processes of our constitutional democracy and will continue to cooperate fully with the legal system as it performs its duties. My conscience is clear regarding my conduct in office — my actions have always been guided by policy, process, and the values of accountability and service,” Gigaba said.
Gigaba’s media liaison for his private office, Palesa Lethoba, told Inside Politics that the former minister was not yet aware of which court he would be appearing in.
Asked if Gigaba would consider stepping down from his role in the parliamentary committee, Lethoba said that would be decided when Gigaba was made aware of the charges he is facing.
Gigaba’s legal team – in a statement – clarified that the allegations which circulated in the media that the matter was linked to procurement irregularities were misleading.
The former minister has not been indicted, they confirmed.
“Dr Gigaba remains willing to engage fully and transparently with the relevant authorities. He reaffirms his respect for the rule of law and confidence in the independence of South Africa’s judicial institutions.”
Gigaba was named in the Zondo Commission final report as being an enabler of the notorious Gupta family during the State Capture years.
According to the commission, he confirmed Brian Molefe as Transnet CEO in 2011 despite the interview panel ranking another candidate higher.
Gigaba was also accused of signing as a witness on irregular contracts for locomotives.
He also approved Anoj Singh as CFO and reinstated Siyabonga Gama as Transnet Freight Rail CEO after Gama’s 2010 dismissal for misconduct.
A former Transnet driver testified before the commission that he drove Gigaba to the Gupta’s Saxonwold compound “six or seven times” and saw him leave with cash.
Molefe, Gama, Singh, Garry Pita, and Thamsanqa Jiyane were also allegedly regular visitors to the compound.
Molefe, Gama, Singh, and Jiyane were arrested in June/July 2025 over the same R93-million tranche of the locomotive scandal and appeared in the Palm Ridge court.
INSIDE POLITICS