Former Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba’s corruption case, involving several former Transnet executives, has been postponed to July 10 to give defence teams time to consult with their clients.
Gigaba appeared briefly in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday alongside his co-accused, among them former Transnet chief executives Siyabonga Gama and Brian Molefe.
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The matter relates to Transnet’s multi-billion-rand locomotive procurement programme, which was intended to expand and modernise South Africa’s rail network.
The State alleges that tender procedures were manipulated and that three contracts were irregularly awarded, resulting in losses amounting to billions of rand for Transnet.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between November 2010 and May 2014, during Gigaba’s time as Public Enterprises Minister.
Malusi Gigaba’s Transnet Locomotive Tender Corruption Case Returns To Court In July
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the postponement is intended to allow defence lawyers to review the evidence and prepare for trial.
Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the NPA’s Investigative Directorate Against Crime, said the additional time was necessary for legal teams to assess the documentation provided by the State.
“These consultations are meant for the defence teams to make comparisons on the docket that was disclosed by the state, in order for them to prepare for trial. At this point, the state has disclosed all the necessary documents to the defence team, in order for them to prepare for trial.”
NPA Says Defence Teams Need Time To Review Full Court Docket
The State has indicated that all relevant documents have already been handed to the defence, enabling the accused and their lawyers to study the evidence before trial proceedings begin.
The high-profile case forms part of ongoing efforts to prosecute alleged corruption linked to major State-owned enterprises and public procurement contracts.
