The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The DA can reveal that the criminal investigation against ANC Minister Thembi Simelane is underway, following charges laid by the DA. A SAPS investigating officer has now been assigned to investigate the complaint.

Minister Simelane is yet another ANC Minister in the National Executive of President Ramaphosa under investigation for a serious crime.

The DA had previously laid charges of corruption against the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, alleging theft of 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.

Vitrovian’s charges to Eskom appeared to have been severely 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 the latest criminal investigation into Simelane, who also faces serious criminal allegations for involvement in the looting of VBS Bank while she was the Executive Mayor of Polokwane.

The DA is confident that the South African Police Service will conduct a thorough investigation into these serious allegations.

The DA has for a long time now called for President Ramaphosa to remove Minister Thembi Simelane from the National Executive, along with all ANC Ministers and ANC Deputy Ministers under the cloud of corruption. It is time for President Ramaphosa to act against ANC corruption.

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