The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has formally added former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba as the fifth accused in a high-profile corruption case involving former executives of state-owned rail operator Transnet.
The matter is being heard at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Johannesburg.
MALUSI GIGABA CHARGED OVER ALLEGED TRANSNET CORRUPTION
IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed that Gigaba was issued with a summons on 7 November 2025 and voluntarily appeared in court. His case has now been combined with those of the other accused.
Gigaba faces allegations related to the period between November 2010 and May 2014, when he served as Minister in the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). He is charged alongside Anoj Singh, former Group Chief Financial Officer of Transnet; Brian Molefe, former Group Chief Executive Officer; Siyabonga Gama, former CEO; and Thamsanqa Jiyane, former Chief Procurement Officer in Transnet’s Transport Freight Rail division.
The charges centre on Transnet’s acquisition of locomotives during this period, intended to expand and modernise South Africa’s rail infrastructure. The State alleges that tender processes were flouted, resulting in three irregularly awarded contracts for 95, 100, and 1 064 locomotives, collectively causing losses worth billions of rands.
Mamothame said that during his tenure as DPE Minister, Gigaba allegedly accepted undisclosed cash payments from members of the Gupta family, which the State claims were corrupt in nature and to which he was not entitled. All accused have been presented with an updated charge sheet.
CASE POSTPONED TO JANUARY 2026
The case has been postponed to 30 January 2026 to allow authorities to disclose the docket, provide an updated indictment, and schedule the transfer of the matter to the high court.
The Transnet case has drawn attention across Africa as it underscores ongoing concerns about governance, state capture, and transparency in major public enterprises.
The next court date will focus on pre-trial procedures before the matter is transferred to the high court, as South Africa continues to confront the broader implications of corruption in its state-owned companies.
