DA Appeals Presidency’s Decision to Block Release of Thembi Simelane’s VBS Scandal Report.

By: Phakeme Mnguni

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced that it is appealing the Presidency’s decision to block access to a report concerning former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane.

The report, submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa, looks into Simelane’s alleged involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank looting scandal.

This scandal, one of the largest financial fraud cases in South Africa’s history, saw billions of rands being siphoned from the bank, with several officials and prominent figures said to be involved.

Simelane, who served as Minister during the time of the scandal, is suspected of either enabling or ignoring the corrupt activities.

Glynnis Breytenbach from the DA says the Presidency’s refusal to release the report, made under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), is based on incorrect reasons. She argues that the public has a right to know what’s in the report, especially since the VBS scandal has had such a massive impact on the country’s economy and its citizens.

The DA is pushing for transparency and insists that the public interest must take priority over any attempts to keep the details of the case hidden.