Quick Read
- Malusi Gigaba’s corruption case was transferred to the Johannesburg High Court on January 30, 2026.
- He is accused alongside former Transnet executives Anoj Singh, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane.
- The next court appearance for the case to be enrolled is scheduled for February 19, 2026.
- Charges relate to alleged flouted tender processes and irregular contracts for locomotive acquisition at Transnet, resulting in billions in losses.
- Gigaba faces one charge of corruption linked to alleged kickbacks between November 2010 and May 2014.
JOHANNESBURG (Azat TV) – The corruption case against Dr. Malusi Gigaba, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC) national executive and former Public Enterprises Minister, has been transferred to the Johannesburg High Court. This significant procedural development occurred on Friday, January 30, 2026, during an appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, Ekurhuleni. The case, which also implicates several former Transnet executives, is now set to be formally enrolled on the High Court roll with the accused warned to appear on February 19, 2026.
Dr. Gigaba faces a single charge of corruption, specifically related to the period between November 2010 and May 2014. He was joined in the dock by former Transnet Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) Anoj Singh, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Brian Molefe, former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama, and former Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) Thamsanqa Jiyane. These co-accused are facing a broader array of charges, including contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, corruption, and breaches of the Companies Act.
Transnet Corruption Allegations Detailed
The indictments served on the accused detail alleged irregularities during Transnet’s process of acquiring locomotives to expand and modernise South Africa’s rail infrastructure. According to Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC), tender processes were allegedly flouted, leading to the irregular award of three contracts for 95, 100, and 1064 locomotives. These alleged actions resulted in a loss of billions of rands for Transnet, a state-owned enterprise critical to the country’s economy.
The allegations against Dr. Gigaba specifically point to him having received kickbacks from these locomotive deals within Transnet. The transfer of the case to the High Court signifies an advancement in the legal proceedings, moving it to a higher judicial forum where complex and high-value criminal matters are typically adjudicated.
Key Figures in the Malusi Gigaba Case
The roster of accused includes individuals who held significant leadership positions within Transnet during the period under investigation. Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama both served as Group Chief Executive Officers, while Anoj Singh was the Group Chief Financial Officer, and Thamsanqa Jiyane held the position of Chief Procurement Officer. Their collective presence in the dock underscores the systemic nature of the alleged corruption within the state-owned entity during that era.
The focus on Dr. Gigaba, given his former ministerial role overseeing public enterprises, highlights the broader implications of the case for accountability within the South African government and state-owned companies. The move to the High Court is a procedural step that will allow for the formal enrollment of the matter and further legal processes.
ANC Response and Gigaba’s Stepping Aside
In November 2025, Dr. Malusi Gigaba publicly announced his decision to step aside from all his activities within the African National Congress. This decision came after a previous court appearance. The ANC confirmed receipt of his letter on Wednesday, November 19, with acting spokeswoman Nonceba Mhlauli stating that the party ‘welcomes the principled and voluntary decision by comrade Dr Malusi Gigaba to step aside from his responsibilities following his recent appearance in court.’
Mhlauli further noted that Gigaba’s decision was taken ‘without prompting’ and reflected ‘the discipline, maturity, and revolutionary consciousness expected of cadres of our movement.’ She affirmed that the decision aligns with the ANC Constitution and the resolutions adopted at the party’s 55th National Conference, which address members facing serious charges.
The transfer of this high-profile corruption case to the Johannesburg High Court marks a critical phase in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to prosecute alleged state capture and corruption, signaling a continued commitment to bring accountability to former senior officials and executives of state-owned enterprises.