EFF accuses Gigaba of being a ‘pathological liar’
THE absence of Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba in the National Assembly to answer questions on the citizenship status of the controversial Gupta family yesterday drew the ire of opposition parties, who accused him of being a “pathological liar”.
Speaker Baleka Mbete read out a letter from Gigaba’s office saying he had to “rush to the doctor” and could therefore not attend the question-and-answer session for ministers who are part of the peace and security cluster.
On Tuesday, Gigaba denied that Ajay and Atul Gupta, two of three Indian-born brothers alleged to have made billions of rand off state contracts secured as a result of being close friends and benefactors of former president Jacob Zuma and his family, were granted South African citizenship.
But yesterday, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) confirmed that Atul Gupta was registered to vote in the country, meaning he had a South African ID number and was indeed a citizen.
“Minister Gigaba is a pathological liar,” charged EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, protesting the minister’s unavailability to be questioned on the matter.
Mbete insisted Ndlozi withdraw the remark. Ndlozi refused and was evicted from the House.
EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu intervened, saying: “If you are going to protect liars like that you are going to get in serious trouble.”
Shivambu was also told to leave the House.
The DA proposed the questions to Gigaba be postponed, so he could appear before MPs and account for allegations that he was lying about the Guptas citizenship.
The ANC accepted the questions stand over to another date. – African News Agency (ANA)