Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane.
President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The ANC in Limpopo has added its voice to the chorus that those who benefited and implicated from defunct the VBS Mutual Bank must face the full might of the law.
This follows the ruling party in the Limpopo provincial executive committee ordinary meeting which was held recently.
The current developments accelerated by the ANC PEC in Limpopo was a clear indication that indeed pressure is mounting on beleaguered Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane who failed drastically to convince Parliament’s Justice Committee that she didn’t benefit improperly following her over R575 600 loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, which benefited from now-defunct VBS bank while she was still Polokwane mayor.
She might be affected by ANC step aside rule like former ANC Provincial Treasurer Danny Msiza who is implicated in the VBS shenanigans.
President Cyril Ramaphosa this week also confirmed to have received Simelane’s report on the VBS saga of corruption which opposition parties called for her axing as the Minister of Ramaphosa’s 7th administration of GNU. Ramaphosa said he is studying the report and will make a pronouncement,
Minister Simelane, the spouse of the controversial former Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) board chairperson Matome Ralebipi which milked the State purse without accelerating and delivering on its mandate, didn't provide proof in Parliament that she paid back the loan.
Members of Parliament also questioned Simelani what informed her to securing a loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, which is not a registered financial services provider.
As expected, members of Parliament’s justice committee raised their discontentment about a conflict of interest because Minister Simelane has executive authority over the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) which is prosecuting those implicated in the VBS looting.
Despite that Simelane denied having an improper relationship with Gundo Wealth Solutions received a million by the now defunct VBS bank, Heloise Denner from the Freedom Front (FF) Plus wanted proof of the loan agreement. Denner said: “But I don’t see that loan agreement with Gundo Wealth Solutions provided. So, I'd like to know if the loan agreement is available. Can we have a copy of this loan agreement?"
Fellow committee member, Glynnis Breytenbach of Democratic Alliance's (DA) also added her voice to the chorus that Simelane's denials that the transaction was not improper is not convincing.
"It’s the dodgy money that's the problem because all of their money was dodgy money, and you were the recipient of the dodgy money."
Parliament’s Justice Committee Chairperson Xola Nqola said the committee would seek legal advice on how to handle the loan agreement confirming that the committee would meet again next week.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said he engaged Simelane about VBS shenanigans and allegations of corruption levelled against her.
He also confirmed that Simelani will face the ANC’s integrity commission.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.
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