South Africa: Minister Simelane Denies Eskom Corruption Allegations

Minister Thembi Simelane denies corruption allegations surrounding her past work at Vitrovian related to Eskom. Investigations continue in the Joshlin Smith trial regarding confession admissibility, and three men are killed in a suspected taxi violence incident in Johannesburg, prompting police appeals for information.

Minister Thembi Simelane of Human Settlements has rejected new allegations of corruption concerning her past role as a project director at Vitrovian, a firm linked to Eskom. Reports indicate that while she was at Vitrovian, the company allegedly inflated costs associated with the Kusile power station project. Previous concerns had also arisen regarding a loan obtained through a middleman affiliated with the defunct VBS Mutual Bank. Simelane’s spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, labeled these assertions as inaccurate, arguing she had no knowledge of financial transactions and describing the claims as “gutter journalism.”

In the legal proceedings against Joshlin Smith, the investigating officer, Captain Wesley Lombard, will again take the stand in a trial-within-a-trial. This session aims to ascertain the admissibility of confession statements allegedly obtained through torture. Lombard had previously indicated that Stevano van Rhyn, one of the accused, became a suspect due to inconsistencies in his testimony. Van Rhyn’s defense lawyer, Nobahle Mkabayi, has contested Lombard’s decision to detain him based on earlier investigators having cleared him. Despite this, Lombard asserted that Van Rhyn’s claims conflicted with other evidence. Mkabayi will continue her cross-examination as the case unfolds.

In a separate incident, three men were shot dead in Vlakfontein, Johannesburg, in what is believed to be a taxi-related shooting. Gauteng police have begun investigating the killings, finding the victims in a Toyota Quantum with multiple gunshot wounds. The motive for the shootings remains undetermined, and authorities are seeking public assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or to utilize the anonymous reporting option via the MySAPS App.

Minister Simelane denies corruption claims linked to her past role at Vitrovian while Captain Lombard testifies in the Joshlin Smith trial regarding possible evidence obtained under duress. Meanwhile, a triple homicide related to taxi violence is under investigation in Johannesburg, with authorities appealing for public help in solving the case.

Original Source: allafrica.com