VBS-linked ANC members fail to report

ANC LEADERS implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank looting have failed to report to the party’s integrity commission following a directive from Luthuli House.

This was revealed by the commission’s chairperson, George Mashamba, who said the commission had made a decision that those implicated should step down from their positions.

This week, all eyes will be on the ANC’s top brass as it will meet to discuss recommendations by the party’s integrity commission. ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party’s national working committee would discuss the decision before tabling it before the national executive committee. Mashamba said those implicated in the looting allegations had been advised by secretary-general Ace Magashule’s office to present themselves before the commission, but failed to do so.

“To protect the integrity and reputation of the ANC, the NIC recommends these members be directed to step aside from all leadership positions and all activities of the ANC.” Some of those directly implicated by the SA Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority report into the saga include Limpopo ANC deputy chairperson Florence Radzilani and provincial treasurer Danny Msiza, who all rejected the allegations.

Radzilani, also the mayor of Vhembe Municipality, is alleged to have secured bribes for depositing around R250 million of the municipal funds into VBS, while Msiza is allegedly the kingpin in facilitating bribes that were given to those who deposited the municipal funds.

Neither Msiza nor Radzilani could be reached for comment by the time of going to print.