'This is not a confession': Gigaba on voluntarily stepping aside from ANC duties

AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) senior leader Dr Malusi Gigaba has made it clear that his decision to step aside from ANC duties does "not" amount to an admission of wrongdoing.

- THABO MAKWAKWA [e-mail]

In a statement released on Wednesday, the former Finance Minister emphasised that stepping aside is a voluntary and procedural measure designed to uphold the ANC's integrity - not a confession of guilt.

Gigaba faces corruption charges relating to allegations that he accepted undisclosed cash payments from members of the Gupta family, which the State claims were corrupt.

On Tuesday, he appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Johannesburg alongside five other Transnet executives who face the exact charges.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Gigaba voluntarily stepped aside from his ANC responsibilities.

He explained that his move was in strict compliance with the ANC Constitution and aligned with resolutions from the party's 55th National Conference on organisational renewal.