Former public enterprises minister, Dr Malusi Gigaba, has not been arrested following his visit to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) offices in Lynnwood, Pretoria East, on Thursday morning.

Earlier reports indicated that Gigaba had handed himself over to authorities in connection with the Transnet corruption investigation. However, IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame has since confirmed that Gigaba “has not been placed under arrest” and that “there will be no court appearance today.”

“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,” Mamothame said in a brief statement issued to the media.

Gigaba’s visit to the IDAC offices mark a new development in the NPA’s ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals implicated in large-scale corruption at state-owned entities during the state capture era.

The Transnet investigation centres on irregular procurement contracts worth billions of rand, including the controversial R54 billion locomotive deal awarded during Gigaba’s tenure as Public Enterprises Minister between 2010 and 2014.

Several former executives, including ex-Transnet group CEO Brian Molefe and former CFO Anoj Singh, have already appeared in court facing fraud and corruption charges.

Gigaba has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has previously dismissed allegations linking him to the Gupta family’s business network as politically motivated.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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