Justice Minister Thembi Simelane has confirmed to the Daily Maverick that she appeared before the party’s Integrity Commission to answer questions about a dodgy loan from a broker to the defunct VBS Bank.
The party’s Veterans League is pushing for three members implicated in the State Capture Commission’s report and in the VBS scandal to stand down from their position pending investigations until they are cleared.
Simelane’s case (the minister is implicated in receipt of a loan that is tracked to a commission paid to a VBS fixer, as reported by Scorpio and News24 here) is being used as a battering ram by parties at Parliament to attack the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Investigating Directorate, which investigates and prosecutes serious crimes.
This report in City Press is an example of how political pressure, using Simelane’s case, is being used to discredit the National Prosecuting Authority and to try to ensure that legal counsel who understand the mechanism of State Capture are smeared. While the Justice Department has denied the report, sources in the National Prosecuting Authority say it reveals a cross-party axis in the government and Parliament who are invested in ensuring delayed State Capture cases.
The EFF is on a campaign against the Investigating Directorate hiring State Capture experts Matthew Chaskalson and Paul Pretorius (evidence leader for the State Capture Commission of Inquiry), and it has been joined by MK party, both of which have skin in the game as various of their members face investigation and prosecution.
“The department is not aware of any fear or loathing between itself and the NPA. The Constitution is clear about the roles and responsibilities that the minister has over the NPA, and she continues to discharge those responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution,” said spokesperson Tsekiso Machike.
‘Immaterial’
Asked if Simelane shared concerns raised on her behalf by parties outside the ANC on why the VBS allegations emerged now, Machike said: “It is immaterial as the minister has accounted before the Portfolio Committee (on Justice and Constitutional Development) and has also made a submission to the president. The minister will also subject herself to the ANC’s Integrity Commission.”
The ANC confirmed the Integrity Commission hearing in a statement on 25 September, but has not said when the closed hearing would be held. The Reverend Frank Chikane chairs the Integrity Commission. It can investigate and address unethical or immoral conduct by ANC members who must either volunteer to appear before it when named in malfeasance, or who will be summoned.
Members can be referred to the Integrity Commission if their actions harm the ANC’s reputation. The commission investigates and makes recommendations, but the disciplinary committee administers disciplinary action and sanctions.
