Opposition parties want Simelane’s resignation over loan from VBS fixer

CAPE TOWN – Opposition parties want Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane to resign over her loan from a VBS broker.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said this must be done pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation into revelations about her alleged involvement in what the party described as a “questionable” R500,000 loan deal during her tenure as mayor of Polokwane.

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Simelane was in Parliament on Friday and did her best to explain the loan to MPs, insisting that it was not illegal and had been repaid in full.

DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach said whether or not Simelane repaid the loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, the fact remains that the money in question was dubious and “unreliable”.

She said the loan’s apparently exorbitant interest rate also raised serious concerns after Simelane told the justice committee that the final instalment was over R800,000.

She said Simelane was in an “untenable conflict of interest” due to her current role as minister and must resign.

“I have to deal with the blatant conflict of interest that exists – whether you want to see it or not – between you and the NPA. [National Prosecuting Authority].”

But Simelane said in a statement after Friday’s meeting that she had not been involved in “any criminal decisions taken by the NPA.”