Web of deceit: Minister’s VBS connection sparks integrity crisis

A tangled web of corruption allegations has ensnared Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, threatening to compromise the integrity of the justice system.

Civil society organisations, including Freedom Under Law (FUL), The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Judges Matter, and Defend Our Democracy, have expressed concern over media reports alleging that Justice Minister was connected to unlawful investments in VBS Mutual Bank during her tenure as Polokwane mayor in 2016.

The reports suggest that the Polokwane Municipality made two unlawful investments into VBS, with payments linked to kickbacks paid in exchange for the deposits.
The kickbacks were allegedly used to pay towards a loan for the Minister’s coffee shop purchase.

The Minister has claimed the transaction was a legitimate commercial loan, but has not provided proof of settlement or the loan agreement.
The civil society groups argue that even if the loan was settled, questions remain about the Minister’s involvement in the loan, given the apparent connection to unlawful deposits into VBS.

“It is crucial that the Minister responds fully and transparently to these allegations,” said the civil society groups in a joint statement.
“Perceptions of corruption and conflicts of interest cause significant harm to public confidence in governance institutions and the rule of law.”

The groups emphasised the importance of the Minister’s position, carrying political responsibility for key law enforcement agencies involved in investigating and prosecuting the VBS collapse.

“There can thus be no question marks over the Minister’s probity and ethics,” they said.
“We call for the Minister to account fully for her involvement in the incident. It would be untenable for such serious allegations against a Minister in such an important portfolio to remain unanswered.”