Cabinet reshuffle: Thembi Simelane moved due to VBS connections?
Last week, the DA filed a PAIA request to obtain Thembi Simelane’s report regarding her R500k loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a broker linked to VBS.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to remove Thembi Simelane from her position as Justice Minister and reassign her to the Department of Human Settlements, calling it short-sighted and disrespectful to South Africa.
Ramaphosa reshuffled his Cabinet, and the changes were announced on Tuesday evening.
DECISION TO REDEPLOY THEMBI SIMELANE CRITICISED
In August, the Daily Maverick reported that during her tenure as Polokwane mayor Simelane received R575 600 from VBS-linked broker Gundo Wealth Solutions to purchase a coffee shop in Sandton.
As previously reported the corrupt investment brokerage was owned by Ralliom Razwinane, who is currently on trial for fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to his role in facilitating connections and “investments” between municipalities, including the Polokwane Municipality, and VBS.
After the news broke, Ramaphosa requested a report from Simelane about the allegations levelled against her. She has also appeared before the justice and constitutional development portfolio committee to answer for the dodgy loan.
On 28 November, DA spokesperson on justice and constitutional development Glynnis Breytenbach confirmed that the party has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the Presidency to access Thembi Simelane’s report on her alleged involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank looting scandal.
The DA accused Ramaphosa of failing to take action against Simelane even though he received the report in September.
Following the reshuffling, Breytenbach said that while Ramaphosa has finally addressed the untenable conflict of interest of having a minister of justice accused of corruption, his decision to move her elsewhere does not address the underlying issue.
“She stands accused of corruption and is subject to investigations. Human settlements is a vital department for providing housing to South Africans. A credible individual must lead it.
Likewise, ActionSA criticised Ramaphosa’s decision to redeploy Simelane, labelling it as cowardly.
“If the Thembi Simelane was deemed no longer fit to serve as Minister of Justice due to allegations of potential corruption and questionable sources of wealth beyond her declared earnings, then surely the President cannot now expect us to believe that she is perfectly suited to lead a critically important portfolio like Human Settlements, overseeing billions of rands.
“Unsurprisingly, President Ramaphosa has once again shown South Africans that he lacks both the appetite and fortitude to break the entrenched culture of unaccountability that continues to plague our country. This cowardly move by the President also highlights the fact that his own Phala Phala demons continue to hamstring his actions when it comes to dealing with corruption in his cabinet,” ActionSA leader in Parliament Athol Trollip said.
FIRST GNU CABINET RESHUFFLE
On Tuesday, Ramaphosa said the changes have been made in order to ensure the effectiveness of Cabinet in delivering on its mandate and in accordance with section 91(2) of the Constitution.
Ramaphosa appointed Mmamoloko Kubayi, currently the Minister of Human Settlements, as the Minister of Justice and constitutional Development.
Thembi Nkadimeng, currently the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, has been appointed as the Minister of Human Settlements.
Phumzile Mgcina has been appointed the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Mgcina has been serving in the National Executive as the Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.
Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has been appointed the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour.
Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has been serving in the National Executive as the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.