EFF says leaked VBS Bank affidavit information is misleading

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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the affidavit detailing the alleged involvement of some party leaders in the corrupt and fraudulent activities that preceded the collapse of the VBS Mutual Bank is unfounded and misleading.

According to convicted former VBS Chairperson, Tshifiwa Matodzi’s 263 paged affidavit, the EFF allegedly received donations to the value of around R16 million.

Matodzi has been sentenced to an effective 15-years imprisonment for his role in fraud and money laundering that led to the collapse of VBS.

The affidavit details alleged meetings between Matodzi, EFF leaders, Julius Malema, Floyd Shivambu and Marshall Dlamini.

EFF spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys says their party is being harassed.

“Look there is no change to our statement on VBS. So if you want a response go to your archives. But how about you also allocate the same energy and double your energy on Cyril Ramaphosa for money that was hidden in his sofas at his Phala-Phala farm? This obsession of forcing EFF into VBS corruption is just plain down harassment now.”

VBS Bank | Claims of how some political parties benefitted from corruption:

Matodzi entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to several charges related to the collapse of the bank. The affidavit was made in terms of the plea deal.

Matodzi also alleged in the affidavit that former Treasury DG, Dondo Mogajane took a bribe of R1 million. The bribe was allegedly to facilitate the reversal of a letter sent by the National Treasury to municipalities encouraging them to divest their funds from VBS.

According to the Municipal Finance Management Act, municipalities are not supposed to invest funds with a mutual bank.

Mogajane has rejected the claims.

VBS Scandal | Dondo Mogajane denies bribery allegations:

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is considering taking legal action following the leak of the written affidavit in the VBS case which also implicates senior political party leaders among others in corruption.

The NPA says the leaking of the document compromises the investigation.

VBS Bank | NPA says corruption case affidavit leaked : Mthunzi Mhaga reflects on the matter