Minister's VBS saga: I haven't decided - Ramaphosa

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is still considering the report submitted by graft-accused Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane.

Responding to a question from the DA's Glynnis Breytenbach in Parliament on Thursday, 17 October, about whether he'll remove Simelane due to allegations that raise questions of integrity regarding her financial dealings and conflict of interest, Ramaphosa said he hasn't decided.

"The report has been submitted with various annexures. That's the matter I'm giving consideration to," he said.

Simelane is accused of improperly securing a loan of R575 600 from Gundo Wealth Solutions in 2016, a company directly linked to the unlawful investments of municipal funds into the now-defunct VBS Bank during her tenure as Polokwane mayor.

On Phala Phala, he told MPs that different bodies, including the South African Revenue Service (SAPS), the South African Reserve Bank (Sars), the Public Protector, and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, have all conducted investigations into the matter.

"None of these bodies have found that there was any wrongdoing on my part," said Ramaphosa.

He said the decision by the Constitutional Court to dismiss his application for direct access to the court to review the Independent Panel's Report, which found there was a prima facie case, was not a determination on the substance of his application.

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The court will hear arguments on 26 November.

He said the fight against corruption is a priority of his government and will remain so.

"We will continue to capacitate the law enforcement entities at the centre of this fight. We will support the independence of institutions who must act without fear or favour," he said.

Ramaphosa said the SAPS has adjusted its operational response to the threats that are posed by organised criminal syndicates, to kidnapping for ransom and extortion, through internal directives.

He said a Priority Committee was established at a national level to address the various types of extortion that have emerged.

"Six distinct work streams have been established as part of this committee, which consist of multidisciplinary role players from the SAPS and both the public and private sectors."