Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
2 April 2025 | 12:00 CAT
3-minute read

Image: Democratic Alliance

The Democratic Alliance has announced plans to press charges against Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane after forensic investigations revealed her involvement in another contentious contract. It was found that ANC-linked company Vitrovian paid Simelane R700 000 after Eskom paid the company R300 million to quell protests at Kusile. Vitrovian is under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for potentially inflated costs and billing for ghost workers.

The DA says it will also request a progress report from the National Prosecuting Authority regarding the investigation and prosecution of Simelane for her involvement in the VBS looting scandal. Additionally, the party has reiterated calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Simelane from the Cabinet.

Member of Parliament for the DA Glynnis Breytenbach spoke to Radio Islam International earlier today about the matter and recapped Simelane’s involvement in the VBS scandal. During her tenure as executive mayor of Polokwane, Simelane received returns on an investment of council money from VBS to the tune of over R600 000, which she used to buy a coffee shop in Sandton. While Simelane maintains that the money she received was a personal loan with no stipulated repayment period, the Hawks are still investigating the matter.

Breytenbach acknowledged the role of South African investigative journalists in scrutinising corrupt officials, including the inquiry that led to the disclosure of Simelane’s signature on the first of the overinflated invoices issued by Vitrovian.

“New information has come to light… [that Simelane] worked for a company, Vitrovian, doing work for Eskom, [which issued] grossly overinflated invoices and her signature appears on the first invoice. There’s an amount of R700 000 that’s in question and the amounts are stacking up,” Breytenbach said.

The matter has raised concerns about the scourge of corruption in South Africa’s governing structures, with an unconscionable number of government officials found guilty of malfeasance.

“We don’t want people of that calibre in our cabinet,” Breytenbach said. “South Africans deserve to be represented in cabinet by people who have unimpeachable integrity and not made up of people who are all under investigation,” she added.

The DA has criticised the president for protecting his colleagues, lacking decisive action, and continuing to knowingly select unscrupulous members for high-ranking positions despite being aware of their past controversies. Breytenbach suggests that a reasonable person would disclose any potential issues before accepting a cabinet position. However, she believes the president ignores these concerns, demonstrating a disregard for accountability. The DA contends that this approach results in a cabinet filled with individuals under investigation, undermining public trust.

The DA plans to submit an affidavit calling for an investigation into Simelane to the police by Thursday, 3 April. While Simelane insists she is innocent, the DA asserts that investigations will determine the truth of the claims and plans to maintain pressure on law enforcement to ensure both matters are thoroughly investigated.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat.