Simelane expected to appear before ANC Integrity Committee over VBS allegations
This is over a R575,000 loan she received from Gundo Wealth Solutions during her tenure as Polokwane Mayor.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane. Picture: The DoJ & CD
JOHANNESBURG - Justice Minister Thembi Simelane is expected to appear before the African National Congress’s (ANC) Integrity Committee on Wednesday over allegations linking her to the looted VBS Mutual Bank.
This is over a R575,000 loan she received from Gundo Wealth Solutions during her tenure as Polokwane Mayor.
Gundo is understood to have operated as a financial advisor to the City of Polokwane – while at the same time was involved in brokering investment deals on behalf of VBS and the municipality.
And while Polokwane invested in the now defunct mutual bank – Simelane has argued that she called for the withdrawal of the investments long before the National Treasury ordered municipalities to stop doing business with VBS.
ALSO READ: Thembi Simelane gave full account to Mbalula's office on VBS corruption allegations - ANC
Simelane is caught in a new scandal over alleged tensions between her department and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The ANC's Integrity Committee - charged with looking after the party's image and brand - seeks answers over her supposed links to VBS.
Several ANC leaders have been implicated in the looting of the mutual bank.
Simelane has over recent weeks argued that she did nothing untoward when seeking a loan to open a coffee shop.
She maintained that she saw no conflict in getting that loan from a company that provided financial advice to the city she led as mayor – whilst at the same time it was securing deals for the VBS Mutual Bank.
The integrity committee will likely want the minister’s views on alleged hostilities surrounding the appointments of State capture lawyers at the NPA.