Norma Mngoma makes explosive state capture claims against Gigaba, Guptas

She reluctantly made an appearance before the commission of inquiry into state capture on Monday evening where she spent more than 5 hours detailing lavish international trips, visits to the infamous Gupta compound and the exchange of hard cash. 

Mngoma alleged that while Gigaba was a sitting minister, they made a number of trips to the Saxonwold compound where the infamous Gupta brothers handed him stacks of money stashed in duffle bags. 

She also bolstered claims that the Gupta brothers were behind some high-profile appointments, dismissals and reshuffles at state-owned enterprises.  

According to her, Ajay Gupta tipped Gigaba off about his appointment to the Public Enterprises portfolio at least three months before the official announcement but his appointment to the position was later leveraged to pressure him into certain decisions. 

The relationship between Gigaba and the Gupta brothers alleged took strain when they couldn’t agree on some decisions.  

“It was in the later stage when he (Malusi) would avoid taking his (Ajay’s) calls because he knew he would tell him something that would upset him, or he would tell him about a certain individual that needs to be moved. 

“Everyone there was someone that Ajay wanted to be appointed, he would just put pressure on him and Malusi would hate that and then he would he ignore his calls.”

The commission’s evidence leader advocate Anton Myburgh asked Mngoma of the consequences of Gigaba’s defiance of the Gupta’s instructions. 

“I only remember one time when he told Malusi he must remember why he was appointed in this position” Norma added. 

ALSO READ:

Gigaba wasn’t only taking instruction from the Guptas. 

His close relationship with embattled South African Airways (SAA) board chairperson Dudu Myeni also soured when the pair couldn’t agree on the airline’s future.  

“When he was appointed at the beginning at the DPE (Department of Public Enterprises) they were close. They were like a sister and a brother although they were colleagues as well. 

“It became sour when Dudu used to tell Malusi that you need to do a certain thing and Malusi would be like he doesn’t want to.

“He was not happy she was interfering with the board decisions so he would call and ask why she’s always involved, and things and I remember they would have a lot or arguments then Dudu would be like Malusi will be taken back to Home Affairs. 

“Sometimes she would come and say ‘the President says you need to do this‘ and then Malusi was like ‘tell the President if he wants to tell me something, he will come to me, he mustn’t go to you and tell you to tell me something’,” she added. 

The cancelation of the SAA Mumbai route was also a cause for conflict between Gigaba and Myeni. 

“Sometimes Malusi said he didn’t know why she had the position of chairperson because she was just interfering everywhere.” 

Gigaba made allegations that Gigaba tried to wipe off data from her electronic devices to hide the full extent of his visits to the Saxonwold residence. 

Towards the end of her testimony, Norma lamented the commission’s handling of her appearance before the commission, adding that her safety had been compromised. 

The commission is yet to deal with Gigaba’s application to cross-examine his estranged wife.