By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nomachule Mngoma, the estranged wife of former minister Malusi Gigaba, who was meant to spill the beans on her husband’s alleged relations with the Guptas has withdrawn from testifying at the state capture inquiry.
Mngoma, through her lawyers, told the inquiry she was not pleased with how it had handled her matter.
Her lawyer Gcwalisile Makhathini said: “his letter sets to inform the commission that as of late yesterday we received instructions from our client informing us of her personal concerns with regards to how various of aspects her proposed appearance at the commission has been handled or allegedly mishandled by the commission.”
The commission was due to hear testimony from her, largely relating to the Gupta family and her husband’s dealings with the fugitive brothers.
Inquiry evidence leader Anton Myburgh SC said Mngoma should be summoned to testify.
Chairperson Raymond Zondo expressed disappointment about the development and agreed she should be summoned, and thus authorised that the same be issued against her.
However, her lawyers told commission chair Zondo that she would no longer be appearing before him and that she had instructed them to inform the commission accordingly.
Zondo has indicated that a summons will be served on Mngoma to appear before him.
In a December 2020 interview with eNCA, Nomachule, commonly known as Norma Mngoma, said she was willing to appear before the commission chair, Deputy Chief Justice Zondo, to provide evidence.
During her interview, she alleged that by the time she and Gigaba got into a relationship, he was already involved with the notorious Guptas, alleging that the family funded their lavish lifestyle, receiving “bags of money” in order to “do favours for them”.
She was due to testify before the commission last week but it was postponed to 13 April (today). The commission is also expected to hear Malusi Gigaba’s application for leave to cross-examine Mngoma.