---
title: "Justice Minister appears before the ANC Integrity Commission on VBS allegations"
description: "Justice Minister Thembi Simelane has confirmed to Daily Maverick that she appeared before the party’s Integrity Commission to answer questions about a dodgy loan from a broker to the defunct VBS Bank."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY"
author: "Ferial Haffajee"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ferialhaffajee/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-25-justice-minister-appears-before-the-anc-integrity-commission-on-vbs-allegations/"
published: "2024-09-25T17:04:47"
updated: "2024-09-26T07:47:30"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 458
---

# Justice Minister appears before the ANC Integrity Commission on VBS allegations

> Justice Minister Thembi Simelane has confirmed to Daily Maverick that she appeared before the party’s Integrity Commission to answer questions about a dodgy loan from a broker to the defunct VBS Bank.

By Ferial Haffajee · Published 25 September 2024, 19:04 SAST · Updated 26 September 2024, 09:47 SAST

## Key points
- ANC Veterans League calls for implicated party members to step down amid State Capture and VBS scandal investigations, sparking political manoeuvring and pressure on NPA as EFF and MK join the fray, while Minister Simelane faces scrutiny and Hawks probe coffee shop loan allegations.
- ANC Veterans League calls for implicated members to step down amid State Capture and VBS scandal investigations
- Political pressure mounts on NPA and Investigating Directorate over Simelane's case
- EFF and MK party campaign against hiring of State Capture experts, citing vested interests
- ANC minister Simelane to face Integrity Commission hearing amid ongoing investigations

## Content

The party’s Veterans League is pushing for three members implicated in the State Capture Commission’s report and in the VBS scandal to stand down from their position pending investigations until they are cleared.

**Read more:**[ANC veterans push for ministers and Members of Parliament implicated in VBS or State Capture to step aside](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-23-anc-veterans-push-for-ministers-and-members-of-parliament-implicated-in-vbs-or-state-capture-to-step-aside/)

Simelane’s case (the minister is implicated in receipt of a loan that is tracked to a commission paid to a VBS fixer, as reported by Scorpio and News24 [here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-26-exclusive-justice-minister-took-half-a-million-rand-loan-from-accused-vbs-investment-broker-in-2016/)) is being used as a battering ram by parties at Parliament to attack the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Investigating Directorate, which investigates and prosecutes serious crimes.

[This report](https://www.news24.com/citypress/politics/fear-and-loathing-in-justice-as-simelanes-department-faces-off-against-batohis-npa-20240922) in City Press is an example of how political pressure, using Simelane’s case, is being used to discredit the National Prosecuting Authority and to try to ensure that legal counsel who understand the mechanism of State Capture are smeared. While the Justice Department has denied the report, sources in the National Prosecuting Authority say it reveals a cross-party axis in the government and Parliament who are invested in ensuring delayed State Capture cases.

The EFF is on a campaign against the Investigating Directorate hiring State Capture experts Matthew Chaskalson and Paul Pretorius (evidence leader for the State Capture Commission of Inquiry), and it has been joined by MK party, both of which have skin in the game as various of their members face investigation and prosecution.

“The department is not aware of any fear or loathing between itself and the NPA. The Constitution is clear about the roles and responsibilities that the minister has over the NPA, and she continues to discharge those responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution,” said spokesperson Tsekiso Machike.

#### **‘Immaterial’**

Asked if Simelane shared concerns raised on her behalf by parties outside the ANC on why the VBS allegations emerged now, Machike said: “It is immaterial as the minister has accounted before the Portfolio Committee (on Justice and Constitutional Development) and has also made a submission to the president. The minister will also subject herself to the ANC’s Integrity Commission.”

In a statement the ANC confirmed that a closed hearing by the Integrity Commission hearing would take place on 25 September. The Reverend Frank Chikane chairs the Integrity Commission. It can investigate and address unethical or immoral conduct by ANC members who must either volunteer to appear before it when named in malfeasance, or who will be summoned.

Members can be referred to the Integrity Commission if their actions harm the ANC’s reputation. The commission investigates and makes recommendations, but the disciplinary committee administers disciplinary action and sanctions.

The Hawks are investigating the coffee shop loan to Simelane, and Scorpio reported it [here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-06-vbs-hawks-raid-polokwane-municipality-seize-evidence-linked-to-justice-minister-thembi-simelanes-coffee-shop-loan/). **DM**

[Media on Daily Maverick: "100 days GNU"](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-25-justice-minister-appears-before-the-anc-integrity-commission-on-vbs-allegations/)