Malusi Gigaba, a former cabinet minister and current member of the African National Congress National Executive Committee, faced corruption allegations in Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after being summoned by prosecutors investigating a massive locomotive procurement scandal at state-owned Transnet. The charges stem from a 2012 contract worth more than 54 billion rand to acquire 1,064 locomotives, which investigators say was tainted by fraud and money laundering during the state capture period. Gigaba appeared alongside four former Transnet executives, including ex-CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, former finance chief Anoj Singh, and engineer Thamsanqa Jiyane, with all five released on 20,000 rand bail.
The prosecution centers on three specific contracts awarded during Gigaba's tenure as public enterprises minister, with authorities alleging advisory tenders were improperly directed to companies connected to the Gupta family. The Zondo Commission inquiry into state capture documented kickbacks and cost inflation in the deal, which ballooned from an initial 38.6 billion rand budget. The charges could prevent Gigaba from participating in upcoming local government elections under recent party regulations barring candidates facing criminal proceedings.
The prosecution centers on three specific contracts awarded during Gigaba's tenure as public enterprises minister, with authorities alleging advisory tenders were improperly directed to companies connected to the Gupta family. The Zondo Commission inquiry into state capture documented kickbacks and cost inflation in the deal, which ballooned from an initial 38.6 billion rand budget. The charges could prevent Gigaba from participating in upcoming local government elections under recent party regulations barring candidates facing criminal proceedings.
