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We have always called on law enforcement agencies to expedite their processes of investigation, prosecution and conviction of those implicated in the widespread looting, irrespective of the size of the municipality or political status of the suspects. Our position in this regard has not changed

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Sizwe sama Yende

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The SACP in Limpopo has called on law enforcement agencies to expedite their investigations of suspects, irrespective of their status in politics, whose institutions were implicated in investing public funds in the defunct Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank against advice of National Treasury.

The party made this call as the Hawks made three more arrests this week.

The elite police unit arrested former Giyani Local Municipality chief finance officer and currect acting manager, Risimati Hitler Maluleke (64) two officials - Nditshedzeni Mashau (33) and Zwivhuya Goodness Thishonge (42) – on allegations of having invested R148.6 million of the municipality funds into VBS Mutual Bank.

According to the police, the money was channelled to VBS-affiliated companies under the guise of “commissions”. Some of this money was laundered through several bank accounts.

The Giyani Magistrate’s Court has granted Maluleke a bail of R25 000. Both Mashau and Thishonge were released on R20 000 bail each.

The Hawks have arrested many officials and a few mayors whose municipalities invested massive amounts in VBS despite being warned that public institutions were not allowed to invest in mutual banks. Thirteen municipalities in Limpopo and other parts of the country invested more than R1.6 billion, and only R109 million was recovered through liquidation of VBS.

When the bank went R2billion bankrupt in 2018, following looting at a grand scale, most of the municipalities lost their investment alongside the throngs of poor people.

Limpopo SACP secretary, Chuene Malebana, said party stood in solidarity with VBS victims and welcomed the arrests that the Hawks had made.

“We have always called on law enforcement agencies to expedite their processes of investigation, prosecution and conviction of those implicated in the widespread looting, irrespective of the size of the municipality or political status of the suspects. Our position in this regard has not changed,” Malebana added.

The ANC in Limpopo, led by Premier Stanley Mathabatha, caused an outcry when it promoted some of the mayors to the provincial legislature following the release of a damning forensic report titled – The Great Bank Heist.

Former Vhembe District mayor, Florence Radzilani, and former Lepelle-Nkumpi mayor Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana were appointed to the legislature. The Vhembe district lost R300 million that it invested in VBS, while Lepelle-Nkumpi lost R150 million. Both of them have even climbed higher in their political positions. Radzilani was re-elected provincial ANC deputy chairperson two years ago and Sibanda-Kekana became treasurer. Both are now members in Mathabatha’s cabinet.

Bolscheviks Party of South Africa leader, Seun Mogotji, said that Mathabatha had a chance to clean up the VBS mess but he did not. “He chose to protect the implicated comrades. Some are now occupying higher positions in Limpopo as MECs and some moved to national government without facing the law,” Mogotji said.