DA calls for Justice Minister Simelane to be relieved of her duties

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reiterated its calls for Justice Minister Thembi Simelane to be relieved of her duties amid fresh allegations of discrepancies in her loan agreement from the VBS Mutual Bank fixer - Gundo Wealth Investments

Simelane must be suspended if removed from her position in the Cabinet, the blue party said.

The DA is arguing that her continued stay - without addressing the serious concerns - casts a shadow over her capacity to uphold the justice system.

News24 is reporting that Simelane’s loan agreement with Gundo Wealth Investments is likely to have been backdated.

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Gundo Wealth Investments – which operated as a financial advisor for the City of Polokwane during Simelane’s tenure as mayor – was also involved in brokering investment deals on behalf of the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank and the municipality.

Simelane has admitted to securing a R575,000  loan from Gundo Wealth Investments – which she says she paid back.

The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach said President Cyril Ramaphosa must take swift action against the Minister.

"We urge the president to stop stalling and take decisive action. While we respect the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s mandate to investigate and decide on any potential prosecution, the president has a duty to act now in the face of what is clearly a blinding conflict of interest," said Breytenbach.