Pretoria – Pressure is mounting on new Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, who took a loan from a company that allegedly looted the now defunct VBS, to come clean.
On Wednesday morning, Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, said in a statement: “President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with concern media reports containing allegations of corruption against the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms. Thembi Simelane”.
Media reports have linked Minister Simelance with monies alleged to have been received improperly from the VBS Mutual Bank during her tenure as Mayor of the Polokwane Municipality.
Reports indicate that Minister Simelane received R575 600 from Gundo Wealth Solutions while serving as Mayor.
Gundo Wealth Solutions is owned by Ralliom Razwinane, who is currently on trial for fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to the VBS collapse.
Magwenya said: “The President has requested a detailed report and briefing from the minister on the matter.”
Earlier this week on Tuesday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for Minister Simelane’s resignation following reports of suspected links to VBS looting.
In 2016, while she was Polokwane mayor Simelane reportedly received a loan of more than R500 000 from a company that allegedly looted funds from the now-defunct VBS.
The company reportedly brokered unlawful investments of R349 million into VBS Mutual Bank by the Polokwane Municipality, while Simelane was mayor.
However, the justice minister has rejected any suggestions of wrongdoing.
The EFF said: “Minister Simelane’s attempts to dismiss her actions as a legitimate commercial transaction are nothing but a flimsy cover-up.
“Her failure to adequately address the conflict of interest, her role in facilitating these illegal investments, and her subsequent attempts to downplay her involvement are indicative of someone who cannot be trusted with the responsibility of overseeing justice in our nation”.
ActionSA said it referred the matter to the public protector to urgently probe the matter focusing on a possible violation of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.
“Given Minister Simelane’s current role overseeing the Department of Justice and her significant influence over the National Prosecuting Authority, our request to the public protector is intended to promptly determine whether her involvement in these transactions constitutes a conflict of interest, violations of ethical codes, or any unlawful conduct,” said Athol Trollip, ActionSA MP and Parliamentary Leader.
Trollip has also written about the matter to the National Assembly Speaker Thokozile Didiza and President Ramaphosa.
