Ethics committee to probe Shivambu, VBS link

Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests is set to investigate for the second time EFF MP and deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, this time for allegedly receiving R10 million from the VBS Mutual Bank heist.

The SA Reserve Bank last week released advocate Terry Motau’s report which implicated 53 people and companies in fraud and corruption worth nearly R2 billion.

Shivambu has denied receiving R10m from his brother, Brian Shivambu, who is implicated in Motau’s report. Brian was paid R16m by the bank for doing consultancy work for Vele Investments.

In a letter responding to the DA’s request for the EFF leader to be investigated, the committee’s acting registrar, advocate Anthea Gordon, confirmed that “the matter is being attended to. You will be notified of the outcome of the investigation once the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests has decided on the matter”.

This will not be the first time Floyd has to face the ethics committee.

In April, Parliament had referred Shivambu to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests committee for assaulting a journalist on its premises.

Shivambu has since denied the VBS allegations, and said he would be taking legal action to clear his name.

“I am going to take legal action against all the people who claim that I received money from VBS illegal money.

“These are the people who are trying to divert our attention and we are not diverted. They are going to withdraw all these allegations because there is no basis that we took any money. It’s just pure nonsense,” said Shivambu.

He did admit to having received money from his brother, but said it did not amount to R10 millionm as alleged.

Shivambu also said the rules of Parliament did not require him to disclose “small” amounts he received from his brother, as previously claimed by the DA.

“The law says we must disclose everything above R1 500 except money, loans or gifts that come from close family members and close companions,” said Shivambu.

Parliament’s portfolio committee on finance has also called for the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to act swiftly and decisively against those alleged to be responsible for wrong-doing in the VBS looting scandal.