Claims that 'ANC politicians are behind' Zwelinzima Vavi's Standard Bank woes
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi prevented the foreclosure of his primary residence by Standard Bank.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Media
Sources close to South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi have alleged that ANC politicians are targeting him through Standard Bank.
The allegations stem from the bank's failed attempt to foreclose on Vavi's Sandton home, despite him consistently paying off arrears on his home loan.
According to insiders, Vavi's vocal criticism of the ANC, particularly regarding corruption and policy direction, has made him a target.
"Vavi has been too critical of the ANC in recent years and was outspoken about President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal... He has also been critical of the corruption that has been taking place within the ANC in recent years, making him a target," a source revealed.
The High Court in Johannesburg, last week, ruled in favour of Vavi, dismissing Standard Bank's bid to foreclose on his home.
Judge Stuart Wilson slammed the bank for its "disproportionate" attempt, stating that Vavi had shown "an apparently perfect adherence" to paying his monthly installments.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
The judge also criticised the bank for demanding over R160,000 in legal costs, almost double the outstanding arrears.
Vavi's history with the ANC and Cosatu has been marked by controversy and criticism. He was previously fired from Cosatu due to escalating tensions and disagreements with the federation's leadership.
His criticism of the ANC's corruption and policy direction further strained his relationship with the party.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu did not respond to questions sent to her.
Cosatu's spokesperson Matthew Parks said the Federation was aware of the matter but were not buying into claims that there was a political controversy around the issue.
"We don't buy the story that he (Vavi) was targeted politically...no political party owns a bank or can influenece a bank.
"We obviously sympathise with him...also the judge was scathing towards Standard Bank in his ruling. We always say that there should be a better way to resolve these issues, other than going to court," Parks said.
The Vavi case is not an isolated incident. Standard Bank has faced criticism for handling mortgage arrears and foreclosure proceedings.
A R60-billion class-action lawsuit against major South African banks, including Standard Bank, highlights systemic issues with how banks handle mortgage arrears.
Advocate Douglas Shaw, leading the lawsuit, alleges that banks frequently proceed with sales even when foreclosure is not a last resort, and often impose excessive legal costs.
"We often see banks act in a manner we consider irresponsible. You cannot trust them to do what most people would see as 'the right thing',' Shaw said.
In another case the bank was again accused of using underhanded tactics to short change its clients, claiming that a couple had defaulted in their bond repayments after they were allegedly overcharged by the bank.
Shamilla Pather and her husband Roman, of Pinetown, said at the time that they were overcharged by the bank which, they say, has also prolonged court processes intended to resolve the matter.
They accused the bank of expecting her and her husband to pay R600,000 or more over a 10-year period in lieu of one month of arrears of R8,800.
In another case in 2023, a couple Patrick and Polin Anthony from Gauteng, defaulted on their mortgage payments for their home in Forest Hill, Gauteng.
However, Standard Bank debited an amount of R124,047,34 from Anthony's family bank account allegedly after increasing the interest rate from prime -1% to prime +1% from August 1, 2009.
This allegedly resulted in an overpayment of R135,301,30, according to financial investigator Emerald van Zyl, who said the overpayment was revealed by an independent actuary as he accused the bank of having allegedly increased the prime rate through internal policy.
Standard Bank did not respond to the claims that political interference had led to banking action against Vavi, but responded to other questions.
The bank's spokesperson Ron Derby said the bank wished to clarify that on 12 June 2025, Vavi's matter was postponed, and no final court order was granted dismissing the bank's application.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
34 minutes ago
- IOL News
Political tensions rise as Helen Zille defends DA's stance in GNU
Helen Zille defends DA's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, slamming Ramaphosa's unilateral decisions and accusing the ANC of ignoring coalition protocols set out in the Government of National Unity agreement. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Executive Chairperson Helen Zille has defended her party's decision not to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU) despite growing tensions with the African National Congress (ANC), accusing the governing party of treating its coalition partner with 'disrespect' and 'double standards'. In an interview with 702, Zille said the DA's decision to withdraw from the National Dialogue and to vote against budget allocations for departments headed by "compromised ministers" is a "commensurate" and serious response to what she described as unilateral decisions by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 'The President showed hypocrisy, double standards and a lack of respect for his coalition partner by unilaterally firing a deputy minister. And we've got to say we won't be treated like that,' she said. Zille criticised the dismissal of DA's former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield over an unauthorised US trip, defending the visit as a private, party-funded mission to engage US officials on trade relations and AGOA. She argued that Whitfield had written to the President, and despite not needing formal permission under the ministerial handbook for non-official trips, received no reply. 'Surely the president can say, no, you can't go, but he never responded. Till today, he's got no answer to that letter except being fired,' Zille said. She accused the ANC of ignoring the coalition's Statement of Intent, saying the President had violated clauses that require consensus for major government decisions, such as the National Dialogue initiative. 'They simply go and announce what it is with some kind of imminent persons group, to which we've never agreed. So they continue governing as if they are the only party in government. ''And everybody else must behave and fall in line. They did not get an overall majority. We are their biggest coalition partner,'' she said. Zille rejected suggestions that the DA is backing down on its red lines, saying the party is prioritising national stability over political theatrics. 'We're not going to lie there like a sacrificial lamb taking a bullet. We're going to fight back,' she said. 'We won't do the ANC any favours to turn around and look at a decimated economy, and give the president the pleasure of saying, this was the DA's fault.' She rejected the idea that the DA is posturing without follow-through, noting that they had indeed drawn a line by withdrawing from the National Dialogue. 'We made threats of withdrawing from the National Dialogue, and we did. We absolutely did. And now you can have a completely useless National Dialogue because, without us, without nearly 25% of the country, many other people are going to boycott it as well. ''They will have a completely useless National Dialogue. It will be a meaningless, hollow gesture,'' said Zille. Zille said the DA would continue to oppose budget votes for ministers like Thembi Simelane, and Nobuhle Nkabane, whom she accused of misconduct and lying to Parliament. ''Nkabane lied to Parliament. That's probably the gravest thing you can do in a democracy,' she said. So that is why we're voting against her . ''And then Simelane, we know exactly what she did. She's now in human settlement. She used to be in justice, can you believe it or not? And she is found linked to the VBS looting. So they've done terrible things. And we are going to vote against them to show our displeasure.'' Despite repeated disagreements with the ANC, Zille said walking away from the GNU would cause national instability, job losses, and economic collapse. ''Let's make no mistake about it. If we walk out of the GNU, the Rand will fall massively in value. There will be more unemployed people. The consequences will be catastrophic for the country.' ''We're going to walk away when the president fires us. We're not going to do him any favours or the ANC any favours to turn around and to look at a decimated economy, and give the president the pleasure of saying, this was the DA's fault.' Zille confirmed the DA has not yet resolved to table a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa but warned that such decisions would be guided by future developments and the broader consequences for the country. 'We will take that decision on the basis of understanding what the consequences will be for the country.'' Zille said the ANC must learn to work collaboratively in government, adding, 'They did not get an overall majority.' [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
GNU will not collapse without DA
As the GNU marks one year, analysts eveal how collusions, fake promises, and ideological divides—especially between the ANC, DA, and excluded parties like the EFF—have complicated governance in a coalition government new to the nation. Image: IOL Graphic ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has responded to the Democratic Alliance's threats of exiting the Government of National Unity (GNU), cautioning that other parties were at the door, ready to join the government. Mbalula was addressing the third day of the OR Tambo Regional Conference in the Eastern Cape over the weekend. 'The DA can pack their things and leave but on their way out, they will meet others coming in… 'Even if the DA walks away, the GNU will not collapse. Other [parties] are already knocking at the door to join GNU. The GNU is powerful, it finishes you without realising,' he said. Tensions within South Africa's GNU have escalated following the dismissal of Andrew Whitfield, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, amid allegations of an unauthorised international trip. President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to remove Whitfield, a senior DA member, triggered a swift response from the party.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Malema calls for DA to leave the GNU, paving the way for EFF's entry
EFF leader Julius Malema lashed out at the DA, saying they should leave the GNU. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers EFF president Julius Malema has again called on the DA to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU), effectively making way for his party to join the government. Malema's remarks come after the DA threatened to withdraw from the National Dialogue due to what they perceive as President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to address corruption within the ANC. The DA's ultimatum to Ramaphosa stems from the president's decision to remove DA MP Andrew Whitfield as deputy minister of Trade and Industry. The DA claims that Whitfield's removal was unjustified and that Ramaphosa has failed to take action against corrupt ANC ministers. Malema, however, sees the DA's ultimatum as an opportunity for the EFF to join the GNU. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ At the weekend Malema criticised the DA's decision to join the GNU, saying that they should have allowed the ANC to govern as a minority party instead. "If the DA was anti-corrupt and pro-poor, they should have allowed the ANC to govern as a minority party. Nothing was forcing them into government. They should have stood outside and allowed the ANC to constitute its government and continue to oppose the ANC if they want to do so," Malema said. Malema also emphasised the importance of respecting government protocol and the decisions of the president. "There is a president here, whether they like it or voted for him and they must respect government protocols. If they don't want that they must step out and let the ANC do its own mess and we all oppose it collectively," Malema said. 'There is no reason to complain because they knew they were going into a marriage with the ANC corrupt government…these are unnecessary threats,' he said. 'You cannot oppose the government you are part of. They are in government and whatever decision president Ramaphosa takes…they are part of that decision because they are part of this mess,' Malema said. 'The ANC has a minority government in Gauteng, they refused to work with the DA there…so the DA can freely express itself without hesitation because they are not part of government…How do you travel overseas without the permission of the president?..That is not the government! That is anarchy!,' Malema said. Malema's comments indicate that the EFF is positioning itself to potentially join the GNU in the future. If the DA were to leave the coalition, it could create an opportunity for the EFF to negotiate its way into government. Malema previously said: "We are waiting. We are going to enter this government, we are just waiting. When they start fighting with Helen Zille, siyangena (we are entering)," Malema said, hinting that the EFF would be ready to step in when the DA and ANC's differences become irreconcilable. "We are patiently waiting for the DA to leave the GNU so that we can participate in government," Malema said, hinting that the EFF is ready to take on a more significant role in South African politics.
