I suspected Gigaba got money from Guptas, former driver tells Zondo commission
An
unidentified witness has told the commission of inquiry into state capture that
he suspected former minister Malusi Gigaba received bags of money from the
Guptas.
Witness 3, whose identity has been protected, appeared at the commission again on Monday.
This time he was being cross-examined by Gigaba.
He testified previously that he drove Gigaba to the Gupta home in Saxowold seven times and each time he would come out with a bag which he eventually saw had large sums of money.
Gigaba's lawyer, Advocate Richard Solomon, pointed out that the witness's testimony is inconsistent.
"Your oral testimony this morning said some of the visits to the Gupta's were recorded and some were not. Then you say in your statement that none of the visits were recorded," said Solomon.
The witness said some of the visits were recorded and others were not, but Solomon claimed the statement to the commission would then be false.
The commission has not been able to get a hold of the logbook used by the Transnet drivers nor the minister's diary.
Solomon said that means the commission has Witness 3's word against Gigabas.
ALSO READ: Women played pivotal role in fight against Covid-19, says Ramaphosa
On the Guptas
Witness 3 previously told the commission he would see Gigaba leave the Gupta home with bags of cash, but Solomon challenged him asking what evidence he had.
"I think I was of the view that the money I had seen carried by the former minister was from the Guptas because every time we went to the Guptas, after a day or two I would see money in the boot of his car in a bag. That is why I say I connect the dots. I am of the view that he may have found the money from the Guptas," said the witness.
Solomon asked why he did not make it clear to the commission that it was suspicion.
Witness 3 said he always had that suspicion but did not point out that it was suspicion to the commission.
Solomon said Gigaba denies ever driving to the Gupta home with Witness 3, instructing him to not log the visits nor receiving cash from the Guptas.
He said Witness 3 was not employed by the police at the time and was not authorised to drive Gigaba.
