Transnet case | Gigaba maintains his innocence as case heads to High Court

January 30, 2026 9

Former Public Enterprises Minister, Malusi Gigaba, has maintained his innocence after his corruption case was formally transferred to the Johannesburg High Court.

Gigaba returned to the Palmridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with the long-running case linked to Transnet’s multi-billion-rand locomotive procurement contracts.

The former minister faces corruption charges relating to his alleged role in approving three controversial locomotive deals between 2010 and 2014, which form part of a broader investigation into procurement irregularities at the state-owned entity.

Gigaba appeared alongside several former Transnet executives, including former CEO Brian Molefe, who are also implicated in the matter. The investigation centres on irregular contracts, including a locomotive deal valued at approximately R54 billion.

In court, the State confirmed that indictments have now been served on all accused, clearing the way for the matter to proceed to the High Court. The magistrate subsequently ordered that the case be formally transferred to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

The court ruled that accused one to four, who are currently out on bail, will remain on the same bail conditions. Accused number five, Malusi Gigaba, who is out on warning, was also instructed to comply with the same court requirements.

All accused were ordered to appear before the Johannesburg High Court on 19 February, when the matter will formally proceed.

The magistrate warned that failure by any of the accused to appear in court would result in immediate warrants of arrest and the forfeiture of bail to the state.

Meanwhile, Gigaba’s legal team maintains that the former minister is innocent and confident as the matter moves closer to trial.

Gigaba’s lawyer, Nicholas Kourie, confirmed that his client — accused number five and the last person added to the case — will be contesting the charges. He added that the State is legally entitled to supplement charges up until the High Court trial stage.

However, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) clarified that, at this stage, only one charge has been formally brought against Gigaba. IDAC spokesperson, Henry Mmamothame, said the charge relates to alleged gratification and is the only one currently reflected in the indictment.