By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Justice & Constitutional Development confirmed minister Thembi Simelane will appear before Parliament on Friday, 06 September 2024, over alleged dodgy dealings with the VBS Mutual Bank.
Simelane was appointed as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development from 3 July 2024.
She was previously Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 6 March of 2023 to 19 June 2024 and Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 5 August 2021 to 6 March 2023.
In a brief statement, DJCD said, “The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Ms Thembi Simelane will appear before the Justice Portfolio Committee to address VBS-related issues on Friday, 06 September 2024.”
Simelane received a loan exceeding R500,000 from a company involved in illicit transactions with VBS.
She used a “commercial loan” of R575,600 from Gundo Wealth Solutions, owned by Ralliom Razwinane, to purchase a coffee shop in Sandton. Simelane was the mayor of Polokwane Municipality in 2016, when she received the loan, and when the municipality unlawfully invested R349-million in VBS, which was brokered by Razwinane.
When VBS was put under administration in March 2018, forensic investigations found it had rewarded Razwinane with kickbacks totalling R24.2-million for being a commissioning agent for various municipalities and state entities through corrupt transactions and contraventions of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Razwinane is on trial for fraud, corruption and money laundering for his role as a commission agent connecting municipalities, including Polokwane Municipality, with VBS.
Simelane was the mayor of Polokwane between 2014 and 2021 and was appointed as Justice minister in June 2024. As minister of justice, She oversees the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which is investigating and prosecuting those involved in the looting and collapse of VBS.
She is also the former President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). She served as its Deputy President before ascending to the position of President, becoming the second female President of the organisation since its formation. She also serves as Co-President of the United Cities of Local Government (UCLG).
Nkadimeng holds a Higher Education Diploma, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, and a BPhil (Political Studies), which she obtained from the University of Stellenbosch. In preparation for her numerous leadership roles, she also completed the Advanced Program in Management at Wits Business School. Nkadimeng held various leadership positions in the structures of her political party, the African National Congress (ANC).
Meanwhile ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said Simelane will appear before the party’s integrity commission to explain her side in the alleged dodgy loan from dealings around the VBS matter.
“The integrity commission has to have a word with her so that they can be satisfied that they’ve got a minister who is not tainted, said Mbalula.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has already requested a detailed report from Simelane, who told MPs on Wednesday that she is willing to answer any questions about her alleged links to the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.