ActionSA's criminal complaint against Simelane the appropriate action, says Justice Dept
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said it believed that the laying of criminal charges was the appropriate route to be taken when there was suspicion of unlawful activity.
Minister of justice and Constitutional Development Thembi Simelane appears before the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services to explain matters related to VBS Mutual Bank, 6 September 2024. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament of SA
JOHANNESBURG - The Justice Department said that the opening of a criminal case against Minister Thembi Simelane over her VBS-linked loan would allow the matter to finally be concluded.
ActionSA opened a criminal case against her on Tuesday, accusing her of corruption.
Simelane has been caught in controversy over a loan she took from a former financial advisor to the City of Polokwane, who also operated as a fixer for the collapsed mutual bank.
During her time as the mayor of Polokwane, Simelane disregarded a notice from National Treasury and invested hundreds of millions of the municipality's money in VBS.
In a media statement, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said it believed that the laying of criminal charges was the appropriate route to be taken when there was suspicion of unlawful activity.
It said that an investigation into this matter would allow it to finally reach its logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, ActionSA parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, said that Simelane's position as the head of justice was untenable when she faces serious charges against her.
"We have taken the step of laying these charges as it appears the president, the Speaker of Parliament and the Public Protector have shown no appetite to deal expeditiously with these allegations against the minister."
Simelane is still due to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa to explain the allegations surrounding her.