Ramaphosa says he needs 'time and space' to process information submitted by Simelane regarding VBS loan

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says he needs time to properly process information submitted by Minister of Justice Thembi Simelane regarding her R500,000 loan.

Ramaphosa said on Thursday that Simelane submitted documents about her loan from VBS broker Gundo Wealth Solutions, but he still needed space to go through all the details.

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Ramaphosa was addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), where he was asked about the matter and why Simelane is still in his Cabinet.

Simelane said on Monday she would be meeting the president soon, and would provide him with all the relevant documents related to the loan.

Simelane already appeared before the National Assembly’s justice committee last week, where she also made a submission denying any improper conduct or conflict.

However, Ramaphosa said he only just received the documents from Simelane.

“She’s just submitted the report to me with all the documents and the attachments, which I am now studying. I’ve said publicly that I would like time and space to look at this, to examine all this, and be able to say how we take this matter forward.”

Ramaphosa said they would embark on different processes and said parties should allow these to unfold before any decision is taken.