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The DA has laid charges of corruption against the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane. Simelane is alleged to have stolen more than R700 000 by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for Vitrovian. Eskom is reported to have used Vitrovian, a consulting firm, to suppress protests at the Kusile Power Plant during its construction.

Vitrovians’s charges to Eskom appear ridiculously inflated, and Eskom was allegedly invoiced by Vitrovian for work done by employees that did not exist. Simelane’s signature appears on the very first of these fraudulent invoices, directly implicating her in the scandal.

This is in addition to Simelane’s alleged involvement and subsequent implication in the looting of VBS Bank. The President has repeatedly refused to disclose the content of Simelane’s report to him on these allegations, despite several requests by the DA that he does so. The President’s continued protection of Simelane raises serious questions on his ability and willingness to root out corruption at the highest level.

President Ramaphosa is allowing a culture of impunity among ANC ministers implicated in corruption, and if he fails to remove Simelane from her post, he will become complicit in the corruption he says he is intent on fighting.

We trust that the South African Police Service will launch a full investigation into Simelane and her involvement in this corruption scandal.

The DA is determined to purge this government of its corrupt officials, with or without the help of the President, and we eagerly await the outcome of the investigation.

Issued by Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP - DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development