FORMER Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has denied owning or purchasing two helicopters, contrary to evidence presented by the State.
Malanji testified under intense cross-examination that Gibson Air Charters owns the two helicopters in question, a BELL 430 and a BELL 206 Jet Ranger.
The State alleges that Malanji purchased the helicopters in 2021, paying US$1.4 million for the BELL 430 and US$700,000 for the BELL 206.
Malanji’s testimony contradicts evidence presented by the State, which included bank statements and transaction records. The court heard that Malanji made several large cash deposits into his accounts in 2021, including US$100,000 on multiple occasions.
In cross examination, Malanji claimed that the deposits were for Gibson Power Systems, a company he is involved with.
The State alleges that the deposits were used to purchase the helicopters, which are suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Regarding the lease, Malanji in cross examination testified that the lease agreement for the helicopters was based on an hourly rate of US$2000 when operating outside of South Africa, and a monthly rate of Rands 24,000 when operating within South Africa.
Therefore the $110,000 and $105,000 deposited into the Gibson was cumulative total for those particular months,” he
