FILE PHOTO: Former cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba at the Zondo commission in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Friday. PICTURE: Thapelo Morebudi/The Sunday Times
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0 JOHANNESBURG: Mr Gigaba has told State Capture Commission that he attended various social and cultural events hosted by the Gupta family.
Former public enterprises minister Mr Malusi Gigaba was making his first appearance at the state capture commission of inquiry, where startling allegations have been made against him.
Recent allegations made by his estranged wife Ms Norma Mngoma are that he would never say no to demands made by the Gupta family.
Mr Gigaba said he met members of the Gupta family when he was the president of ANC Youth League.
He says he met them during one of the ANC’s fundraising campaigns.
“I do not have a specific relocation [of when I met them] but I was still the president of the ANC Youth League.
“It would have been a different occasion. It was not direct meetings or interaction with them because back then I think as Mr [Gwede] Mantashe indicated when he was here, they were quite involved in the ANC [and] helping the ANC to fund raise,” explained Mr Gigaba.
Mr Gigaba told the commission that he did not have a business relation with the Gupta brothers but had social interaction with them.
“I didn’t have any other business or dealings, I got to know them and I used to be invited to attend various social and cultural events which I did.”
Mr Gigaba’s application to cross examine his estranged wife Ms Mngoma has been granted.
His lawyers will cross examine Ms Mngoma on a date yet to be set with strict time restrictions.
Ms Mngoma has concluded giving evidence at the state capture commission of inquiry.
After the Zondo commission was granted a three-month extension in February, it will now complete its report by 30 June.
The commission said it had lost three months owing to the Covid-19 lockdown and its initial deadline was March 2021.
It was established in 2018 to investigate allegations of state capture, corruption, fraud and other allegations in the public sector including organs of state.
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