GIGABA TO STEP ASIDE FROM ANC ACTIVITIES AMID CORRUPTION CHARGES

Former ANCYL President Dr Malusi Gigaba.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has confirmed that ANC NEC member and former public enterprises minister Dr Malusi Gigaba has been charged with corruption and will step aside from party activities.

This decision follows Gigaba's court appearance on Tuesday, where he faced charges related to three Transnet contracts signed during his tenure as minister.

The charges are part of a wider investigation into Transnet's multi-billion-rand locomotive procurement deal, with authorities alleging that Gigaba accepted undisclosed amounts of cash from the Gupta family.

Gigaba's co-accused include former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane.

The ANC's step-aside rule, aimed at protecting the party's image, requires members facing criminal charges to voluntarily step back from party and government activities. Gigaba's decision to step aside is in line with this rule, and the party will issue a statement to this effect.

The investigation into Transnet's procurement deal has implicated several high-profile individuals, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in government and state-owned entities. The matter has been postponed to January 30, 2026, for further proceedings.