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Simelane had previously addressed similar accusations on 31 March 2025, characterising them as "misleading reports" designed to sensationalise her name.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Thembi Simelane. Picture: Gallo Images/Brenton Geach
The DA has filed formal corruption charges against Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, accusing her of fraudulent activities during her previous employment with consulting firm Vitrovian.
According to the DA, Simelane allegedly participated in defrauding Eskom of more than R700,000 through inflated billing practices.
The party claims Eskom hired Vitrovian to suppress protests at the Kusile Power Plant during construction.
“Simelane’s signature appears on the very first of these fraudulent invoices, directly implicating her in the scandal,” the DA stated in their announcement.
The party further alleges that Vitrovian’s charges to Eskom were “ridiculously inflated” and included invoices for work reportedly done by non-existent employees.
DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, expressed confidence that a South African Police Service investigation would “get to the bottom of these allegations.”
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Simelane previously addressed similar accusations on 31 March 2025, characterising them as “misleading reports” designed to sensationalise her name.
“The minister wishes to dismiss these claims with the contempt they deserve and views them as a desperate attempt to draw her name in controversies for sensationalisation,” her office stated at the time.
Simelane’s department confirmed she had worked as a Project Director at Vitrovian for seven months in 2011 but insisted she “was not responsible for the contractual obligations of Vitrovian.”
“Once again, I hasten to correct the misconception that the position of project director would have in any way allowed me to enjoy intimate knowledge of the company’s financial transactions with Eskom or any client of the company,” Simelane said.
“This assertion is simply false and is bordering on gutter journalism.”
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The DA also referenced Simelane’s alleged involvement in the VBS Bank scandal, claiming President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to disclose the contents of Simelane’s report on these allegations despite multiple requests.
“The president’s continued protection of Simelane raises serious questions on his ability and willingness to root out corruption at the highest level,” the DA stated, adding that “President Ramaphosa is allowing a culture of impunity among ANC ministers implicated in corruption”.
The DA said it would “purge this government of its corrupt officials, with or without the help of the president”.
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