ANC Takes Time to Mull Over Minister’s Involvement in VBS Scandal
As calls for Justice Minister Thembi Simelane to step aside intensify due to her connections with the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has stated that the party will take time to consider the situation before making any decisions.
Opposition parties and government partners have urged for Simelane’s removal pending investigations into the VBS scandal. Simelane received a R600,000 loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a company linked to the looting of VBS, during her time as the mayor of Polokwane in 2016.
Mbalula emphasized that the ANC does not want to prejudge Simelane and that she will present herself to the party’s integrity commission to provide her side of the story. President Cyril Ramaphosa will ultimately decide if Simelane is fit to continue in office based on the commission’s recommendations.
Simelane has maintained that she was unaware of Gundo’s involvement with VBS when she accepted the loan, which she has since repaid in full.
Overall, the ANC is committed to following due process and ensuring fairness in handling Simelane’s situation within the organization.