President requests briefing and report from Justice Minister

President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested a detailed report and briefing from Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane, regarding reports that she improperly benefitted, via a loan, from money received from VBS Mutual Bank. This after allegations surfaced in the media that Simelane, while she was Mayor of Polokwane Municipality, received at least R500 000 in a loan from an individual intimately linked to VBS bank. The municipality had invested money in the bank during Simelane's tenure. 'President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with concern media reports containing allegations of corruption against the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Thembi Simelane. The media reports have linked the Minister with monies alleged to have been received improperly from the VBS Mutual Bank during her tenure as Mayor of the Polokwane Municipality. 'The President has requested a detailed report and briefing from the Minister on the matter,' the Presidency said in a statement. Source : South African Government News Agency