Norma Gigaba Mngoma state capture

Norma Mngoma. Photo: Screenshot

Norma, spill the beans! Gigaba fails to stop estranged wife’s testimony

Despite arguing that Norma Mngoma has little to offer the Commission, Gigaba will have to endure his estranged wife’s account of the dubious events in question.

Norma Gigaba Mngoma state capture

Norma Mngoma. Photo: Screenshot

Former ANC MP and cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba has just seen his application to prevent his estranged wife Norma Mngoma from testifying at the State Capture Commission dismissed, with his further application for any evidence she might present to be rendered inadmissable also thrown out. 

Luckily for Gigaba – who might be feeling a more than a little hot under the collar right now – Mngoma doesn’t seem too enthusiastic about speaking to the Commission and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo anymore either. Having previously been chomping at the bit to reveal what she knows about the allegations, an about U-turn was performed last week when she expressed concerns about the Commission. She didn’t oppose her ex-husband’s application and her lawyers subsequently began outlining their concerns about her appearance. 

Norma Mngoma’s testimony would likely relate to Gigaba’s questionable relationship with the controversial Gupta family.

Norma Mngoma told to testify against Gigaba  

Gigaba clearly doesn’t want Mngoma’s evidence presented to the Commission, with the couple currently in the midst of a nasty divorce and bombshell claims having already been suggested in interviews she participated in with a stunning disregard for his languishing reputation.

The one time Finance Minister’s legal representation insisted that Mngoma’s testimony would be inadmissible given the precarious state of their relationship, as well as the questionable relevance of her knowledge of the matter. 

Despite the Commission not adhering to the rules that govern spousal privilege in criminal courts – where wives and husbands are within their right to decline to testify against each other – Advocate Richard Solomon told Zondo that the principle should still apply in this case. 

Estranged wife ‘might be using Commission to further divorce claim’  

Evidence leader Anton Myburgh provided insight into the potential benefit of Mngoma’s testimony, saying that it would likely be “of little importance”. 

Zondo vehemently disagreed with Myburgh’s suggestion. He said that Norma’s evidence could be “pivotal”. 

He also told Zondo that that the veracity of claims Mngoma is cunningly using the Commission and the revelations that may emerge about her husband to further her leverage in obtaining a favourable divorce settlement would only become clear when she actually testifies.

He suggested that the original statement provided to the commission by Mngoma might not be accurate because of personal acrimony resulting from their divorce. He worried that Mngoma’s testimony will have a negative impact on their children. 

He added that the matter at hand requires the dispensation of facts about the relationship between Gigaba and the Guptas that “she doesn’t have personal knowledge of”. 

The hearing continues