Norma Gigaba 'does not seek to influence me', says finance minister
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba says his wife has no influence over his work in Cabinet.
Gigaba responded to a question by the Economic Freedom Fighter's (EFF) Floyd Shivambu. He appeared before Parliament's finance committee for the first time since his appointment in late March.
"Is your wife going to continue to play advisory services on ministerial issues as she was doing [during your time as Minister of] Home Affairs?" asked Shivambu.
Norma Gigaba, who is an IT executive, said in an interview with eNCA that she assisted at the Department of Home Affairs.
"There were long queues at Home Affairs and I know IT and I know most of the time their system is very low.... I was there helping him," Mrs Gigaba told eNCA.
Shivambu asked if Mrs Gigaba's comments were true.
"What your wife said, that she was giving you advisory services and even about IT when you were the Home Affairs Minister and that she was dealing with passports and so on and so forth, is that the case?"
Gigaba said people contacted his wife for assistance.
"She says to me, I have this thing that has been brought to me, you take it and deal with it the way you have to," said Gigaba.
The minister said his wife's company never received a tender from the Department of Home Affairs.
"There is absolutely nothing. I think we are making a fuss out of nothing. Everyone who is married knows that opinions come and people bring things," said Gigaba.