‘Cover up by VBS insider’

Former VBS Mutual Bank chief operating officer tried to solve the liquidation problem at the bank by using cover-up methods and fraud, the High Court in Johannesburg heard yesterday.

Michael Antonie SC, for the curator in the VBS Mutual Bank matter, said Robert Madzonga paid R18 million into the bank’s account on February 16 and 17.

The payments were made in the month before VBS was placed under curatorship.

Antonie made his arguments during an application to try and have the estate of Madzonga, provisionally sequestrated.

He questioned why Madzonga was solving a bank liquidity crisis in his personal capacity while Vele Investment Holding was the major shareholder and could have dealt with it. Madzonga is also the group executive officer of Vele Investments.

Antonie said Madzonga was desperate and wanted to ensure that the crisis at the bank remained uncovered and he used his own money.

“It’s impossible that Madzonga did not know the state of VBS Mutual Bank. We are dealing with fraud on a massive scale. Let’s not get too technical,” said Antonie.

He said there was about R63 million in a Vele bank account and questioned why Madzonga had not used that money to deal with the liquidation problem. “Because it’s a fictitious deposit.”

On Tuesday, provisional sequestration orders were granted against Tshifhiwa Matodzi, the former chairperson of VBS’s board of directors and also the director and chairperson of Vele Investments; as well as Phillip Truter, the bank’s chief financial officer; and Phophi Mukhodobwane, VBS’s general head of treasury and capital management.

It emerged in court yesterday that Mukhodobwane wanted to appeal the provisional sequestration. Andile Ramavhunga, the bank’s chief executive, may also be placed under provisional sequestration – this was argued in court on Tuesday and a judgment is yet to be delivered.

Curator Anoosh Rooplal wants Ramavhunga to also be sequestrated for orchestrating what is described as a “fraudulent scheme of epic proportions”.

At least R1.5 billion was allegedly looted from VBS by executives who lived lavishly and bought, among other items, luxury vehicles. The court heard that Madzonga’s assets included two Porsches, a Rolls Royce, an Audi R8 and two immovable properties.

The sequestration proceedings continue. – ANA

We are dealing with fraud on a massive scale. Let’s not get too technical.

Michael Antonie SC Lawyer for the curator in VBS Mutual Bank matter