Gigaba set to challenge charges, Hawks arrest in High Court
Noma Gigaba, the wife of former finance minister Malusi Gigaba, will approach the High Court to challenge her arrest by the Hawks.
Gigaba appeared briefly in the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning on charges of malicious damage to property and crimen injuria.
Gigaba was arrested by the Hawks on Friday and spent a night in the cells before being released on bail of R5000 the next day.
She is being represented by advocates Dali Mpofu and Thembeka Ngukaitobi.
Mpofu requested a postponement of 6 weeks to allow the defence to file counter-charges.
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“We intend to bring certain civil matters in relation to this which will deal with the validity of the charges," Mpofu told the court.
Victor Nkwashu, who is also part of her defence team, said it was unnecessary for the Hawks to swoop on Gigaba.
"Senior council have been brought into the matter to challenge the issues of the involvement of the Hawks, to challenge the issuing warrant of arrests when the Hawks knew where she lived. The arrest on its own for such kind of charges should not have happened.
"She should have been summoned to court instead of arresting her on a Friday evening knowing the courts would close and she'd have to spend the weekend in custody.
"That will be brought before the High Court to be set aside," Nkwashu explained.
Nkwashu said the night behind bars left Gigaba traumatised.
"She was coughing heavily on Saturday but she managed to make it to court today.”
Gigaba is expected back in court on September 14.
She spent a night in the holding cells before she was freed on bail on Saturday.
The Hawks claim they carried out the arrest because there's more to the case but can't divulge details.
