'I need time and space' - Ramaphosa on Thembi Simelane VBS matter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that the VBS-related allegations surrounding Justice Minister Thembi Simelane will not be swept under the carpet.
Ramaphosa was questioned about the allegations during a media briefing on Thursday while on a state visit to China.
The minister is accused of taking R575 600 “commercial loan” from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a company that brokered unlawful investments of R349 million into the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank.
The loan was allegedly taken in 2016 when she was the Mayor of Polokwane.
She reportedly borrowed the money from Gundo Wealth Solutions, owned by Ralliom Razwinane, to purchase a coffee shop in Sandton.
Razwinane has been charged with fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to facilitating connections and “investments” between municipalities, including the Polokwane Municipality and the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank.
He is currently on trial for fraud, corruption and money laundering for his role as a commission agent connecting municipalities with VBS.
Ramaphosa said the matter is on his table and will be addressed.
“The issue of the minister of justice, that is a matter that we’re dealing with, and I would say that as president, I do need the space and the time to be able to deal with this matter, and certainly the matter is being dealt with as I indicated some few days ago
“So it’s not a matter that will be swept under the carpet. It’s been dealt with. So, be rest assured, the matter is being addressed,” said Ramaphosa.
The matter also came up during a post-cabinet media briefing, during which journalists asked the acting Minister in the Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa, if it had been discussed.
Ramokgopa said the cabinet did not discuss the issue, as it is sitting with the president.
From the ANC side, the party's general secretary confirmed to the media earlier this week that Simelane will appear before the party's integrity commission.
"We will get the report. Thembi will have to go to the integrity commission. We are expecting a full report from her in terms of what has been reported. It's upon her to know that she must report to the integrity commission,” said Fikile Mbalula.
"From the side of the ANC, when the need arises, and we need to take action, we will take action. There are no holy cows. The renewal agenda is underway, and we have measures in place to deal with these particular issues," said Mbalula.
She will be appearing before the Justice Portfolio Committee in Parliament on Friday to explain the matter.
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