Minister Simelane Denies Corruption Allegations Amid Ongoing Legal Matters

Minister Thembi Simelane denies corruption allegations tied to her past role at Vitrovian concerning Eskom projects. The trial regarding the Joshlin Smith case continues with cross-examination on confession evidence, while three individuals were shot in a taxi-related incident in Johannesburg, prompting police investigations.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has firmly refuted recent corruption allegations linking her to a project director role at Vitrovian, a company engaged by Eskom. Reports from News24 allege that during her tenure, the company inflated prices for services rendered at the Kusile power station. Previously, Simelane had faced scrutiny for receiving a loan through a middleman associated with the defunct VBS Mutual Bank. In response, her spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, characterized the allegations as misleading and dismissed the reporting as “gutter journalism.”

In the trial concerning the Joshlin Smith case, Captain Wesley Lombard, the investigating officer, is set to take the stand again. This trial-within-a-trial aims to ascertain the admissibility of confession statements from the accused, which they claim were obtained through coercion. Lombard had previously highlighted that co-accused Stevano van Rhyn became a suspect due to inconsistencies in statements provided. Van Rhyn’s defense attorney, Nobahle Mkabayi, contested Lombard’s detention decision, citing earlier clearance by initial investigators, while Lombard maintained that Van Rhyn’s alibi was contradictory to other evidence. The cross-examination will continue in the proceedings.

In a tragic development in Johannesburg, three men have been killed in a suspected taxi-related shooting incident in Vlakfontein. The Gauteng police are actively investigating after discovering the victims with gunshot wounds inside a Toyota Quantum vehicle. The motives behind the murders remain unclear, prompting authorities to encourage anyone with pertinent information to reach out via the Crime Stop Line (08600 10111) or submit anonymous tips through the MySAPS App.

In summary, Minister Thembi Simelane has rejected corruption allegations from her past that linked her to Eskom contracts, labeling the reports as misleading. Meanwhile, the trial of Joshlin Smith is ongoing, with crucial testimony regarding the admissibility of evidence. Furthermore, a tragic shooting incident in Johannesburg highlights ongoing dangers in the region, leading to a police investigation for potential leads.

Original Source: allafrica.com