Cape Town – EFF leader Julius Malema maintains his denial of benefiting from looted VBS Mutual Bank funds, which caused the bank’s collapse and left pensioners destitute.
Former VBS chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi, recently sentenced to 15 years for multiple crimes, claimed in his affidavit last week that he made substantial donations to the EFF to gain positive publicity and silence criticism.
Matodzi said Malema and Shivambu both knew that the funds received from VBS were unlawful because they created Sgameka as a front. He also said there was no legitimate business reason for the payment, with Malema and Sivambu saying they needed the money for their restaurant in Soweto.
“To my knowledge, Sgameka is a company owned by Brian Shivambu, a brother to Floyd Shivambu who is the deputy president of EFF. The company was provided to me by Floyd to make payments that I promised to EFF,” he said.
Malema, in a video shared by the EFF on Sunday, dismissed these allegations as attempts to destroy the party. The video was from four years ago
“There’s nothing anyone can say that will shake us. There’s nothing the EFF has done illegally. Anyone who wants the VBS money, you are barking at the wrong door,” Malema said.
♦️ICYMI♦️
We are not shaken by reruns! We are on #EFFTurns11 vibes! pic.twitter.com/6ccyDN4SB5
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 14, 2024
He added: “It is VBS every day because that’s the only thing they have, the only weapon they have to divide and destroy the EFF. There’s nothing more. Check the facts. Don’t be a fanatic.”
Watch the full video below:
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said over the weekend that the government aims to imprison those accountable for the collapse of the VBS.
Speaking on Saturday ahead of a two-day Cabinet lekgotla meeting in Pretoria, Ntshavheni assured that law enforcement is actively pursuing accountability for all parties implicated, noting the severe impact on victims, particularly in Vhembe, who lost their pension and savings funds.
“The lekgotla did not speak about the VBS case, but you know the stance of government that’s why government instituted support mechanisms for the victims of VBS,” Ntshavheni said.
MUST WATCH: Weighing in on the VBS saga, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says: “There must be justice for the justice for the people of Vhembe, that has always been the position of government.” @News24 pic.twitter.com/6b3MsOOFZN
— Amanda Khoza – The Journalist (@MandaKhoza) July 13, 2024
She added: “Remember Mr Matodzi is not the first one to do a confession; there was Philip Truter who did his confession.
“We hope this affidavit will allow law enforcement agencies to move with speed to bring to book everybody who has swindled the money of our people because now you know the scale of the looting… and disregard of laws.”
ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance have demanded further investigations into Malema and Shivambu’s alleged involvement, criticising the slow pace of law enforcement efforts.
Matodzi was arrested in June 2020 along with other VBS officials, and the Hawks have arrested 33 out of 76 suspects implicated in the scandal, with investigations ongoing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
