Minister Simelane Denies Corruption Allegations Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Minister Thembi Simelane denies recent corruption allegations tied to her past role at Eskom. Captain Wesley Lombard will testify again in the Joshlin Smith case regarding confession admissibility. Three men were killed in a taxi-related shooting in Johannesburg, prompting police investigations.

In recent developments, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has firmly rejected renewed corruption allegations stemming from her previous position as project director at Vitrovian, a contractor for Eskom. A report by News24 alleges that the company inflated costs for work conducted at Kusile power station during her tenure. Following scrutiny regarding a loan associated with the disbanded VBS Mutual Bank, Simelane’s spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, has labeled the allegations as misleading and attributed them to “gutter journalism.”

In a separate legal matter, Captain Wesley Lombard, the investigating officer in the Joshlin Smith case, is scheduled to testify again in a trial-within-a-trial concerning the admissibility of confession statements from the accused. Lombard previously indicated that co-accused Stevano van Rhyn was implicated due to discrepancies between his and another accused’s statements. Defense attorney Nobahle Mkabayi disputed Lombard’s detention decision, pointing to earlier exoneration of her client. Lombard has maintained that contradictions in Van Rhyn’s assertion about his whereabouts on the day of Smith’s disappearance conflict with other evidence.

Furthermore, a tragic incident occurred in Vlakfontein, just south of Johannesburg, where three men were shot dead in what appears to be a taxi-related attack. Gauteng police are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding these murders after discovering the victims with gunshot wounds inside a Toyota Quantum. At this moment, the motive for the attack remains undetermined, and authorities are encouraging those with information to reach out through the Crime Stop Line or the MySAPS App.

In summary, Minister Thembi Simelane has rejected allegations of corruption linked to her past role in Eskom projects, labeling them as unfounded. Simultaneously, the legal proceedings surrounding the Joshlin Smith case continue, with significant developments expected as the trial unfolds. Moreover, authorities are investigating a grave taxi-related incident in Johannesburg, urging the public to assist with any information.

Original Source: allafrica.com