Embattled South African minister for Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba has resigned his cabinet position, according to a statement from the country’s presidency. Gigaba has been under pressure to quit his cabinet position, following a court ruling that he lied under oath, thus violating the constitution.
A South African court ruled last December that Gigaba had violated the constitution when he denied having ever approved an application by the Oppenheimers to operate an immigration service for wealthy VIPs at Johannesburg’s main airport. The presidency on Tuesday said Gigaba wrote his resignation letter to president Cyril Ramaphosa, saying he had chosen to place the interests of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the country above his personal interests.
Gigaba reportedly told the president that his resignation was not an admission of guilt, adding that he had done no wrong and leaves the public service with a clear conscience. But for many of his critics, the personal and political scandals that Gigaba was battling with, had stained his reputation beyond redemption.
