Justice minister to appear in Parliament over VBS allegations

The minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, is expected to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development this week following reports that she indirectly benefited from the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.

Last week, allegations surfaced in the media that Simelane, while she was Mayor of Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo, received at least R500 000 in a loan from an individual intimately linked to VBS bank.

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development chairperson, Xola Nqola, says 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,” he says.

During a question and answer session in the National Assembly last week, Simelane committed to appearing before Parliament.

“Permit me to start by making a commitment to this house on my availability with regard to the response, if any is needed by the house, or the committee or the public protector on the issues that are doing the rounds,” she said at the time.

The minister is expected to appear before the committee on Friday.

Following the allegations last week, the Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested a ‘detailed report and briefing from the minister on the matter’. – SAnews.gov.za