Norma Gigaba released on bail, to appear in court on Monday [update]

As reported by SABC on Friday 31 July, the former minister’s wife (now confirmed to be Norma Mngoma Gigaba) was allegedly under investigation for damaging her husbands Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.

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Update, 1 August: It has since been confirmed that the couple amid this scandal is former minister Malusi Gigaba and his wife, Norma Mngoma Gigaba.

Norma Gigaba was released after being granted R5 000 on Saturday, 1 August 2020. Her attorney, Victor Nkwashu told SowetanLive that she would still appear in court in Hatfield, on Monday, 3 August.

“We can confirm that bail has been fixed for her at R5 000 and that she will appear in court on Monday”.

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Norma Gigaba arrested — Here’s what we know

Charged with assault, damage to property

31 July 2020: Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi told SABC that the suspect was charged with alleged assault and malicious damage to property and explained that she could face more charges.

“The complaint has been with us for some time we are still busy working on those allegations. There were matters that transpired this week which necessitated us to go straight to the Magistrates Court to ask for a warrant of arrest based on the severity of the case and the charges that were laid”.

Watch: Hawks confirm Norma Mngoma Gigaba’s arrest

Case to proceed on Monday

It’s understood that Norma Gigaba was arrested Friday afternoon and is currently in police cells in Pretoria. Mulaudzi confirmed that the suspect will appear in court on Monday, in Hatfield.

The Hawks also tell me that while the wife of the Former Government Minister who was arrested on alleged assault and malicious damage to property […] We have also since learnt that the complainant in the arrest of the former Minister’s wife is her husband and another person.

Chriselda Lewis

Malusi and Norma Mngoma Gigaba

Update: It has since been confirmed that Norma Gigaba damaged her husband’s Mercedes-Benz G-Class by allegedly keying the former ANC Youth League leader’s pride and joy.

She has since been arrested for alleged damage to property and will be spending the weekend behind bars before appearing in the Magistrate’s court in Hatfield on Monday, 3 August.

Norma would have been released on bail on Friday, however, after “several confrontations” with law enforcement officials, bail was scrapped. Her lawyer, Johan Dup Plessis arrived at the police station shortly after.

Speaking to Independent, Du Plessis confirmed that Norma Gigaba would be spending the night at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria, despite there being “much consultation to get her out”. [Update: Norma was released on bail on Saturday.]

Twitter reacts to Norma Gigaba’s arrest

Netizens have taken to Twitter to express their thoughts. One Twitter user said that “karma is dealing with Norma Gigaba for taking someone’s man” but wanted to know when will karma “deal with Malusi for cheating on his two wives?” Another added:

“Don’t let this Norma Gigaba thing distract you from the fact that R500 billion disappeared into thin air in three months”.