The Oppenheimers argued in court this week that the Guptas were behind the government’s decision to block their plans for a luxury international terminal at OR Tambo airport. But Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s counsel, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, countered that the Guptas might have done a better job of running it if the project went out to tender. The Oppenheimers were seeking private use of public services, he said. "They want a suite of immigration services to be taken away from the public … to be used by them and their VVIPs," Ngcukaitobi said. Oppenheimer aviation company Fireblade wants to offer in-house customs and immigration facilities at its terminal built on the Denel precinct at OR Tambo airport near Johannesburg. Fireblade has asked the North Gauteng High Court to review a decision by Gigaba to reject its application, which he made last year when he was still home affairs minister.
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