VBS saga far worse than Phala Phala, says Steenhuisen

CAPE TOWN - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen says the VBS Mutual Bank looting saga and its subsequent closure is far worse than the Phala Phala farm scandal.

The Agriculture Minister has also reiterated that the DA won’t be supporting any Phala Phala-related motion brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

But the EFF’s Busisiwe Mkhwebane said it was those in the Government of National Unity (GNU) that should be taken to task on the VBS Mutual Bank grand theft rather.

On Wednesday, Steenhuisen briefed the media on the DA’s expectations for Thursday’s Opening of Parliament address by Ramaphosa.

He also said he expects the GNU to finish its five-year term and they won’t entertain any motion to impeach the president because of Phala Phala.

“Frankly, Phala Phala pales into insignificance in light of the Matodzi affidavit with the acts of blatant corruption, state capture that are evident by people who would bring such a motion to try and bring the government down."

But Mkhwebane told the National Assembly that it was not EFF members that needed to be charged.

“People must be charged and be dealt with. You can say that unfortunately, it involves the very same GNU partners of yours.”

Steenhuisen said they would rather take their chances on the side of the president instead of those opposed to the Government of National Unity.