Thembi Simelane, the embattled Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, has denied weekend allegations that she revealed and was questioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa about the controversial loan she received from corruption-accused Gundo Wealth Solutions.
According to Sunday World, Simelane informed the ANC’s Integrity Commission that Ramaphosa was aware of her R575,000 loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions prior to naming her to his Cabinet.
Simelane appeared virtually before the panel last week, dragged by her political party to explain how she obtained the money.
According to the Sunday World, Ramaphosa interviewed Simelane before to naming her as deputy minister of cooperative government and traditional affairs in August 2021.
Tsekiso Machike, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, responded to the newspaper allegations, claiming that they were false.
“Ms Thembi Simelane, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, has expressed concern over an item published in the Sunday World on October 6, 2024. The paper claims that at her appearance before her party’s Integrity Commission two weeks ago, the minister told the president about her debt with Gundo Wealth Solutions,” said Machike.
He further stated that the press stories are unjust to Simelane and Ramaphosa.
“The article is devoid of truthfulness and carries misleading messages that are not fair to the minister and the president,” Machike told reporters.
“Furthermore, the article does not represent the minister’s submission to the ANC Integrity Commission.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has repeated its request for Simelane’s resignation following disclosures regarding her suspected involvement in a problematic loan transaction while serving as Polokwane mayor.
According to HowSouth, when Simelane was mayor, she obtained a loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions through the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank to buy a coffee business in Sandton.
The DA’s demand comes after additional anomalies were discovered in a claimed loan arrangement with Ralliom Razwinane, who is facing corruption charges related to the robbery of VBS.
IOL previously reported that the DA believes that anomalies in the loan arrangement, such as contradicting payment dates and evidence that the document may have been backdated, raise serious doubts about the minister’s honesty and transparency in her dealings.
DA spokesman Glynnis Breytenbach emphasized that “the glaring inconsistencies in this loan agreement only deepen the conflict of interest facing Minister Simelane.” This circumstance undermines her claim to transparency.”
Given the gravity of the charges, the DA feels Simelane must voluntarily resign down.
Breytenbach nodded; “Continuing in her role without addressing these concerns casts a shadow over her capacity to uphold the justice system she is meant to serve.”
The party has also asked Ramaphosa to take prompt action.
