South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba resigns for lying under oath

The minister of Home Affairs in South Africa, Malusi Gigaba has resigned in what he says is “for the sake of the country and the movement to which he belongs”.

This was conveyed in a statement released by the Presidency, the statement further read that Minister of Transportation, Blade Nzimande will serve as the acting minister of home affairs before a permanent replacement is found.

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa in the statement said:

“Minister Gigaba indicated in his letter of resignation that he was stepping aside for the sake of our country and the movement to which he belongs.

“Further to relieve the President from undue pressure and allow him to focus on improving the lives of the people of South Africa and for him to do the best he can to serve the country and save it from this economic meltdown.”

President Ramaphosa ended the statement by thanking Gigaba for his “longstanding service to the government and people of South Africa”

You will recall that a South African Court two weeks ago ruled that Malusi Gigaba had lied about the Fireblade private terminal at OR Tambo International Airport.

Citizens, especially members of the opposition increased calls for the minister to be sacked or should resign following the release of a video on-line which showed the minister 'performing a sexual act on himself'.

The minister said the video which was widely circulated on social media was stolen from his phone which was hacked sometime back.

This in addition to his court case where he was found to have lied completely about his involvement in the VVIP terminal case at the OR Tambo International Airport warranted his resignation.

The Gauteng High Court kicked out Gigaba appeal saying that he lied under oath and that the case had very little chance of success.