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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
DA to support Appropriation Bill ‘in the national interest' after Nkabane axed
DA leader John Steenhuisen has announced the party will support the passing of the Appropriation Bill now that Nobuhle Nkabane is out of Cabinet. The DA has confirmed it will support the passing of the Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 22 July, now that Nobuhle Nkabane has been fired as higher education minister. Following a party caucus meeting on Tuesday, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the party would vote for the Bill 'in the national interest'. 'The Democratic Alliance will support the 2024/25 Appropriation Bill following the president's decision to dismiss Minister Nkabane after sustained DA pressure. This decision is the crucial first step in holding compromised ministers accountable,' said Steenhuisen. The Appropriation Bill, a key part of the national Budget that allocates departmental spending, will be considered and then debated on Wednesday. Every department's vote must be passed for the Bill to pass. DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp told Daily Maverick on Tuesday morning that the party's support for the budget vote of the Department of Higher Education was solidified after Nkabane's firing. 'The Democratic Alliance will now support the budget vote on higher education because she is not there anymore,' he said. However, he said the DA's caucus would decide whether to support the Department of Human Settlements budget: 'We will discuss this and we will then decide on a way forward with regards to which other budgets we will support. 'So, I think the only one in question [that] still remains is Human Settlements, and that I can't give you an answer on. Our caucus will decide on that.' The DA has decided to move forward with the Appropriation Bill while continuing to push Ramaphosa to act against ministers implicated in wrongdoing. 'We now welcome the president's decision to act against [Nkabane]. But this must be the beginning, not the end. There are still individuals in the executive facing serious allegations. If the president is serious about restoring public trust, he must act decisively and consistently, not only when under pressure,' said Steenhuisen. ANC parliamentary chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday. DA's ultimatum After President Cyril Ramaphosa fired the DA's deputy minister of trade and industry, Andrew Whitfield, in June, the party said it would not support the Higher Education and Human Settlements budget votes while Ramaphosa retained ministers Nkabane and Thembi Simelane. The party opposed Nkabane's vote due to the scandal around the Seta board appointments, which had included individuals aligned to the ANC. For Simelane, it was down to her involvement in the ongoing VBS scandal. Daily Maverick and News24 reported that she received a R575,600 'loan' from VBS fixer Gundo Wealth Solutions. Following Nkabane's axing, on Monday the DA's Karabo Khakhau said the party's position on the issue was unchanged. The 'only way' the DA could support the budget votes was if Nkabane and Simelane were removed, said Khakhau. 'Not always easy as the GNU' Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader and chairperson of Parliament's Appropriations Committee, Mmusi Maimane, has been critical of the DA's stance on the Appropriation Bill, claiming it was playing politics with crucial government services. If the National Assembly fails to pass the Appropriation Bill, the Public Finance Management Act allows departments to spend up to 45% of the previous year's allocation in the first four months. Those four months will be up at the end of July. Thereafter, they can spend 10% of the allocation a month, capped at the previous year's total and limited to previously approved services. On Tuesday, Aucamp said Maimane did not understand the dynamics of the Government of National Unity (GNU) since his party was outside of the GNU. 'He does not understand the dynamics that we have got to deal with in the GNU. We have always managed to get to where we need to be, even if it was the fiscal framework that the Democratic Alliance went to court with,' said Aucamp. 'It's very easy to stand on the sidelines and give criticism if you are not on the field,' said Aucamp. He added: 'As the GNU, it's not always easy, but we do get where we want to be and hopefully we will be able to sort out all the issues with regards to all the different budgets and go forward from there. So yeah, it's easy for Mr Maimane to give criticism.' The DA spokesperson said the party's approach was 'yielding results'. 'If it was not for the pressure that the Democratic Alliance has been applying, we would still have sat with Nkabane.' DM
TimesLIVE
14-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
MPs to seek legal opinion on allegations against auditor-general
The standing committee on the auditor-general met to consider a legal opinion from parliament's constitutional and legal services office on how to proceed with a complaint lodged by a former staff member against auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke. The complaint, submitted in August 2022, alleged misconduct by Maluleke in relation to financial transactions involving her predecessor, the late Thembekile Kimi Makwetu. Mlungisi Mabaso, a former chief people officer, claimed Maluleke, while serving as deputy auditor-general, improperly authorised an R860,000 advance on deferred compensation to Makwetu and a R575,000 payment for bond transfer costs. He also questioned a subsequent interest payment to Makwetu's widow. The auditor-general's office denied wrongdoing and commissioned an external legal opinion by advocate Werner Krill and an investigation by Bowmans. Both found no evidence to support the allegations. According to a statement from the auditor-general in 2022, Mabaso was dismissed after an independent disciplinary process for gross misconduct, among other charges. The matter was brought to the attention of the sixth parliament's committee, which held closed and open sessions in August and September 2022. However, no formal resolution was adopted and no communication was sent to the complainant. In February 2025, Mabaso resubmitted the complaint to the committee, alleging it had been improperly handled and requesting it be formally investigated. Presenting the legal opinion, Fatima Ebrahim of the constitutional and legal services office, said while the previous committee had engaged with the matter, the absence of a formal outcome had contributed to perceptions of a lack of transparency. 'Unfortunately there's no report or resolution regarding the findings or conclusion of the previous committee on the matter,' she said. Ebrahim recommended the committee apply its mind and reach a resolution, either to reopen the investigation or conclude it based on the available evidence. The legal opinion emphasised the constitutional status of the auditor-general as a Chapter 9 institution and the importance of safeguarding its independence, impartiality and dignity.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
I availed myself for accountability, Simelane tells DA in heated debate
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane reminded the DA of its public representative, who was allegedly accused of murdering her sister, whom the party never suspended nor issued a press statement. Image: Hunk Kruger / Independent Newspapers HUMAN Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has described the DA's personal attack on her as being tried in public without being charged. Simelane said she was not amazed by what was happening to her because a person stands in front of a judge when charged with an offence. 'You are trying me in public because you think this is the only way to degrade the work I am doing,' she said. Simelane responded to the DA's attacks during the budget vote for her department on Wednesday. The DA, which had its former deputy minister, Andrew Whitfield, dismissed for taking a trip to the US without authorisation from President Cyril Ramaphosa, has vowed not to vote in support of the budgets of departments left by compromised ministers and deputy ministers. On Tuesday, the DA claimed that Simelane was under investigation after it laid charges with the SAPS for the alleged theft of more than R700,000 by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for a company named Vitrovian. Speaking during the debate, DA MP Luyolo Mphithi said the Human Settlements Department was saddled with a catastrophic collapse of governance across its several housing entities. Mphithi recalled that Simelane was previously accused of receiving a R575,600 'loan' from Gundo Wealth Solutions, linked to the unlawful investments of municipal funds into the VBS Mutual Bank, while she was the mayor of the Polokwane Municipality. 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. 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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 ✕ 'It seems that the president does not at all take issue with the fact that a person accused of corruption sits in his Cabinet and will have to look after the budget with R30 billion set aside for South Africans,' he said. Mphithi also said that although the department's budget and department have many challenges, it would under normal circumstances be supported. 'However, we are faced with a minister who has corruption allegations against her and has not been accountable to the South African public, which makes it difficult for us to support this budget,' he said. Mphithi's colleague, Conrad Poole said that when Simelane was accused, she should be in the dock before a judge and not be an MP entrusted with R33 billion of taxpayer funds. 'I certainly would not bet any money on this minister doing anything to clean up shop. If the allegations of corruption are true, she would rather buy coffee shops. She may, in fact, be planning to convert the Department of Human Settlements for her grand relaunch of her 'coffee' enterprise. In response, Simelane reminded the DA of its public representative, whom she identified as Msebenzi Radebe, who was allegedly accused of the murder of her sister, whom the party never charged. 'In 2016, when I managed to place charges against him, it was only then that the DA suspended him. Even on my calls to get the DA to get a statement of murder against my sister, they did not. In 2019, three years later, she died. 'So good, you can find the nearest door to the police station. Where it matters, you don't even know where the door is,' she said. Simelane insisted that the investigation was about accountability. 'I availed myself of accountability. Now the investigation is done, and you reported the case, but you now can't wait for the investigation to conclude. I fear I am going to disappear after this. I mean really,' she said. ANC MP Albert Seabi pleaded with Simelane not to be distracted by the amount of noise, no matter how loud it may be, including an allegation not tested in court. 'You have our support minister because of your strong work ethic, your dedication, your diligence, and your consistent commitment to transparency, accountability, and transforming the sector,' said Seabi. EFF MP Babalwa Mathulelwa said they rejected the budget not because 'we are extortionists like the DA'. Mathulelwa said the rejection of the budget was based on the empty promise wrapped in inflation and false hopes. ActionSA's Malebo Patricia Kobe said: 'The budget fails to honour the dignity of millions still waiting for a place to call home.' Rise Mzansi's Makashule Gana said: 'I will debate the budget and resist the temptation to debate or play the woman'. Cape Times
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA accuses Simelane of corruption during heated budget vote
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane reminded the DA of its public representative, who was allegedly accused of murdering her sister, whom the party never suspended nor issued a press statement. Image: Hunk Kruger / Independent Newspapers Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane on Wednesday complained of being tried in public by the DA in order to degrade the work she was doing in government. Simelane maintained that she was not amazed by what was happening to her because a person stands in front of a judge when charged with an offence. 'I am undergoing a trial without being charged. You are trying me in public because you think this is the only way to degrade the work I am doing,' she said. Simelane responded to the DA's blistering attacks during the budget vote for her department. The DA, which had its former deputy minister, Andrew Whitfield, dismissed for taking a trip to the US without authorisation from President Cyril Ramaphosa, has vowed not to vote in support of the budgets of departments left by compromised ministers and deputy ministers. On Tuesday, the DA claimed that Simelane was under investigation after it laid charges with the SAPS for the alleged theft of more than R700,000 by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for a company named Vitrovian. Speaking during the debate, DA MP Luyolo Mphithi said the Human Settlements Department was saddled with a catastrophic collapse of governance across its several housing entities. Mphithi recalled that Simelane was previously accused of receiving a R575,600 'loan' from Gundo Wealth Solutions, linked to the unlawful investments of municipal funds into the VBS Mutual Bank, while she was the mayor of the Polokwane Municipality. 'It seems that the president does not at all take issue with the fact that a person accused of corruption sits in his Cabinet and will have to look after the budget with R30 billion set aside for South Africans,' he said. Mphithi also said that although the department's budget and department have many challenges, it would under normal circumstances be supported. 'However, we are faced with a minister who has corruption allegations against her and has not been accountable to the South African public, which makes it difficult for us to support this budget,' he said. Mphithi's colleague, Conrad Poole, was more brutal. He took to the podium as he took jabs at Simelane. Poole said that when Simelane was accused, she should be in the dock before a judge and not be an MP entrusted with R33 billion of taxpayer funds. 'I certainly would not bet any money on this minister doing anything to clean up shop. If the allegations of corruption are true, she would rather buy coffee shops. She may, in fact, be planning to convert the Department of Human Settlements for her grand relaunch of her 'coffee' enterprise. 'We cannot trust that the precious taxpayer money allocated to this budget will be implemented or cared for by this compromised minister, who was only redeployed to this department under the darkest of clouds. She simply cannot be trusted with R33 billion of hard-earned taxpayer funds meant to house the vulnerable, when her failures are so stark and so many,' Poole said. In response, Simelane reminded the DA of its public representative, whom she identified as Msebenzi Radebe, who was allegedly accused of the murder of her sister, whom the party never charged. 'In 2016, when I managed to place charges against him, it was only then that the DA suspended him. Even on my calls to get the DA to get a statement of murder against my sister, they did not. In 2019, three years later, she died. 'So good, you can find the nearest door to the police station. Where it matters, you don't even know where the door is,' she said. Simelane insisted that the investigation was about accountability. 'I availed myself of accountability. Now the investigation is done, and you reported the case, but you now can't wait for the investigation to conclude. I fear I am going to disappear after this. I mean really,' she said. ANC MP Albert Seabi pleaded with Simelane not to be distracted by the amount of noise, no matter how loud it may be, including the noise about an allegation not tested in court. 'You have our support minister because of your strong work ethic, your dedication, your diligence, and your consistent commitment to transparency, accountability, and transforming the sector,' said Seabi. Although some of the opposition parties indicated they would not support the budget, they did not launch any personal attacks at Simelane. EFF MP Babalwa Mathulelwa said they rejected the budget not because 'we are extortionists like the DA'. Mathulelwa said the rejection of the budget was based on the empty promise wrapped in inflation and false hopes. She said the department's budget was increased in nominal terms. 'It does not build more homes. It does not address the ever-growing backlogs, and it certainly does not restore the dignity of our people. It does not speak to housing backlog, which now exceeds 2.3m units,' Mathulelwa said. ActionSA's Malebo Patricia Kobe said they rejected the budget not because of who occupies the office, though it was deeply concerning that Simelane was under investigation for questionable VBS loans. 'The budget fails to honour the dignity of millions still waiting for a place to call home,' Kobe said. Rise Mzansi's Makashule Gana maintained that 'I will debate the budget and resist the temptation to debate or play the woman'.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
'Criminal investigation against Thembi Simelane underway,' DA
A Saps investigating officer has been assigned to investigate the complaint against her. Justice Minister Thembi Simelane and Democratic Alliance (MP) Glynnis Breytenbach. Deputy Justice Minster Andries Nel is at the back. Picture: GCIS The DA says a criminal investigation against Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane is currently underway, and a South African Police Service (Saps) investigating officer has been assigned to investigate the complaint against her. Investigation DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach said Simelane is 'yet another ANC minister in the national executive of President Cyril Ramaphosa under investigation for a serious crime.' 'The DA had previously laid charges of corruption against Simelane, alleging theft of more than R700,000 by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for Vitrovian. Eskom is reported to have used Vitrovian, a consulting firm, to suppress protests at the Kusile Power Plant during its construction. 'Vitrovian's charges to Eskom appeared to have been severely inflated, and Eskom was allegedly invoiced by Vitrovian for work done by employees that did not exist. Simelane's signature appears on the very first of these fraudulent invoices, directly implicating her in the scandal,' Breytenbach said. The Citizen has contacted Simelane's office for comment. This will be added to the article once received. ALSO READ: DA submits PAIA request for Simelane's VBS report to Ramaphosa Claims denied In March 2025, Simelane dismissed these claims, saying she viewed them as a 'desperate attempt to draw her name in controversies for sensationalisation.' 'The office of the minister can confirm that the minister was an employee of Vitrovian in 2011 as a Project Director for seven months and was remunerated for the work she performed for the period she stayed at Vitrovian until she left. 'Notably, the minister can categorically state that she was not responsible for the contractual obligations of Vitrovian, and it is malicious to paint a picture that she might have been involved in any alleged activities or operations of price inflation as a mere employee of the company,' Simelane's office said. Cabinet reshuffle Simelane also faced serious criminal allegations for involvement in the looting of VBS Bank while she was the executive mayor of Polokwane. In December last year, Ramaphosa redeployed Simelane in a Cabinet reshuffle from the Justice and Constitutional Development cluster Ministry to Human Settlements. Swapping portfolios, Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi took over Simelane's spot as Justice and Constitutional Development Minister. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa owes nation explanation why Simelane still in Cabinet – Casac [VIDEO] VBS scandal Ramaphosa's decision to reshuffle Simelane came as she faced severe criticism over a R575 600 'commercial loan' she received from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a company accused of brokering unlawful investments of R349 million by the Polokwane Municipality into the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank. Simelane used the 'commercial loan' from Gundo Wealth Solutions, owned by Ralliom Razwinane, to purchase a coffee shop in Sandton. She vehemently denied wrongdoing, asserting that she handled everything transparently and repaid the loan in full. In September 2024, Ramaphosa vowed not to sweep the allegations against Simelane, related to the VBS bank scandal, under the carpet. DA 'confident' Breytenbach said the DA is confident that the Saps will conduct a 'thorough investigation into these serious allegations'. The DA has for a long time now called for President Ramaphosa to remove Minister Thembi Simelane from the national executive, along with all ANC ministers and ANC deputy ministers, under the cloud of corruption. Breytenbach said it is time for Ramaphosa to act against 'ANC corruption'. ALSO READ: VBS Bank: 'Let us not condemn without evidence,' says Madonsela
