Minister Simelane Denies Eskom Corruption Allegations Amid Other News
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane denies corruption allegations linked to her former role at Vitrovian, contesting claims of inflated pricing. In another case, police officer Captain Wesley Lombard continues to testify in the Joshlin Smith trial regarding the admissibility of evidence. Additionally, three men were killed in a suspected taxi-related incident in Johannesburg, prompting a police investigation.
In South Africa, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has rejected corruption allegations concerning her previous role at Vitrovian, a company implicated in price inflation for projects at Kusile power station under her oversight. These claims follow previous concerns regarding a loan acquired through a middleman associated with VBS Mutual Bank. Simelane’s spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, has characterized the allegations as misleading and labeled the report as “gutter journalism.”
In the ongoing trial related to the Joshlin Smith case, Captain Wesley Lombard, the investigating officer, is set to resume his testimony regarding the admissibility of confession statements allegedly obtained under duress. Lombard previously indicated that co-accused Stevano van Rhyn emerged as a suspect due to inconsistencies in his statements compared to those of another accused, Jacquain Appollis. Van Rhyn’s attorney, Nobahle Mkabayi, is actively cross-examining Lombard regarding the legality of her client’s detention, while Lombard maintains that Van Rhyn’s claims contradict existing evidence.
In a tragic incident in Johannesburg, three men were found shot dead in what appears to be a taxi-related attack in Vlakfontein, located south of the city. The Gauteng police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the murders, with the victims discovered inside a Toyota Quantum. The motive for these killings remains unknown, and authorities are requesting the public’s assistance through the Crime Stop Line or the MySAPS App for any relevant information that could aid in the investigation.
The South African news highlights significant developments, including Minister Thembi Simelane’s denial of corruption allegations connected to her previous tenure at Vitrovian, a purported corrupt project contractor for Eskom. Additionally, the trial concerning the Joshlin Smith case continues to reveal complexities in the legal proceedings surrounding confession statements. Lastly, the fatalities resulting from a suspected taxi attack in Johannesburg underscore ongoing safety concerns in the region.
Original Source: allafrica.com
