Malusi Gigaba
Malusi Gigaba is a South African politician and African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament who serves as co-chairperson of Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Defence. He earlier held several Cabinet positions, including Minister in the Department of Public Enterprises (2010–2014), and later served as Minister of Home Affairs, where in 2015 he initiated the Smart ID digitisation programme and its multi-channel bank partnership with institutions such as ABSA, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank. In his defence oversight role, Gigaba has pressed government on border security, SANDF funding and capacity shortfalls, and the performance of arms-control regulatory bodies such as the National Conventional Arms Control Committee and the Directorate for Conventional Arms Control. He has led committee oversight visits, including to the Musina and Beitbridge border areas, highlighting weaknesses in interdepartmental cooperation on illegal migration and smuggling. In November 2025 the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption formally charged him as the fifth accused in a corruption case involving former Transnet executives, relating to his tenure at the Department of Public Enterprises. Following the charges, he voluntarily stepped aside from ANC leadership responsibilities under the party's step-aside rule, while maintaining his innocence and continuing to serve as an MP and defence committee co-chairperson, a dual position criticised by opposition parties as compromising parliamentary oversight integrity.
Malusi Gigaba Updates
Defence committee supports employment for operation prosper despite concerns around deployment funding
10th July 2026 The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has resolved to support the employment of 3 400 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)... →
Defence committee welcomes Reserve Force concept but calls for greater synergy across government
23rd March 2026 The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has welcomed the concept paper presented by the Reserve Force Council (RFC) aimed at rejuvenating the... →
Government corrects claims that the Department of Home Affairs partnership with banks on Smart ID is new and driven by a Political Party
11th March 2026 The Smart ID digitisation programme was initiated in 2015 under the then Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Malusi Gigaba, as part of government’s... →
Gigaba cannot 'step aside' from the ANC but continue to lead Parliament’s defence oversight
26th November 2025 The Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned that ANC MP Malusi Gigaba, who has “stepped aside” from all ANC leadership roles due to serious... →
Stepping aside does not imply guilt on my side – Malusi Gigaba 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 20th November 2025 African National Congress MP Malusi Gigaba said on Thursday that the party’s step-aside principle does not imply guilt on his side, stating that... →
Daily Podcast – November 20, 2025
By: Thabi Shomolekae 20th November 2025 Making headlines: South African key rate lowered at first decision under new inflation target; Malusi Gigaba says stepping aside does not imply... →
ANC welcomes Gigaba’s decision to step aside from party roles following corruption charges
By: Thabi Shomolekae 20th November 2025 The African National Congress (ANC) said Malusi Gigaba’s decision to step aside from his party responsibilities demonstrates “respect for... →
Challenges extend beyond what we saw, says Joint Defence committee after visit to border at Musina
17th October 2025 Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans are concerned about what they have... →
Committee hears SANDF ‘severely underfunded’ to effectively monitor borders
By: Thabi Shomolekae 16th October 2025 The Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans revealed on Thursday that the South African... →
Committee Chair agrees with DA call for R813 mil soldier allowance investigation
17th September 2025 The DA welcomes the strong statement by Dakota Legoete MP, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, calling for... →
