The Democratic Alliance (DA) has escalated the fight against corruption within the South African Government by formally laying criminal charges against the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, reports Cape {town} Etc.
This action follows allegations that Simelane misappropriated over R700 000 while employed at Vitrovian, a consulting firm that was contracted to work with Eskom.
According to DA Member of Parliament Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, Vitrovian has come under scrutiny for allegedly inflating invoices to Eskom for work purportedly done to suppress protests during the construction of the Kusile Power Plant.
Breytenbach highlighted that Simelane’s signature appears on these fraudulent invoices, directly implicating her in the ongoing scandal.
‘Vitrovian’s charges to Eskom appear ridiculously inflated, and there are alarming claims that Eskom was invoiced for work from non-existent employees,’ Breytenbach asserted, articulating the gravity of the allegations against Simelane.
This latest scandal is compounded by Simelane’s alleged involvement in the infamous VBS Bank looting, raising serious questions about her integrity and capability to serve in the government.
Since these allegations emerged, President Cyril Ramaphosa has come under fire for not disclosing the content of the report regarding Simelane’s conduct, despite multiple requests from the DA.
Breytenbach expressed strong concern over the President’s inaction, stating that Ramaphosa’s continued support for Simelane could compromise his commitment to combating corruption at high levels, saying, ‘President Ramaphosa is allowing a culture of impunity among ANC ministers implicated in corruption. If he fails to remove Simelane from her post, he will become complicit in the corruption he says he is intent on fighting,’
In light of the serious allegations, Breytenbach urged the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into Simelane’s involvement in these corrupt practices.
She emphasised that the DA remains steadfast in their mission to eliminate corruption from the government, with or without the President’s assistance, and they are keenly awaiting the investigation’s outcome.
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Picture: DA / Facebook
