The embattled Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, is expected to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee, on Friday, to explain her side of the story in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.
This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s request for a detailed report and briefing from the Minister regarding the allegations that she improperly benefitted, via a loan, from money received from VBS Mutual Bank.
The allegations surfaced in the media that Simelane, while she was Mayor of Polokwane Municipality, received at least R500 000 in a loan from an individual intimately linked to VBS bank.
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Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Xola Nqola, said the allegations have a bearing on the perception of South Africa’s fight against corruption.
“The committee has noted with grave concern the serious allegations in media reports regarding an alleged loan to the Minister. These types of allegations are damaging to the image that South Africa is trying to portray as a country ridding itself of any form of corruption.
“We therefore thought it prudent to call the Minister speedily to a committee meeting where she can take Parliament and South Africans into confidence regarding these allegations,” Nqola said.
During a question and answer session in the National Assembly, last week, Simelane committed to appearing before Parliament and to cooperate with the office of the Public Protector if needed.
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