NPA Condemns Leaking Of Affidavit Implicating Malema And Shivambu In VBS Case

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed significant concern over the leaking of an affidavit related to the VBS Mutual Bank case.

The affidavit, allegedly penned by former VBS chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi, implicates prominent political figures such as Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu in the looting of VBS through Sgameka Projects (Pty) Ltd, a company registered under the name of Brian Shivambu, Floyd’s younger brother.

NPA spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga emphasized that the leaking of the affidavit undermines the administration of justice and endangers members of the investigation and prosecution team.

Mhaga stated that the NPA is considering legal options to address this breach of confidentiality. “The leaking of confidential documents in high-profile and complex corruption cases like VBS compromises the hard work of investigators and prosecutors,” Mhaga said.

He further added that the NPA leadership has tasked the Director of Public Prosecutions in Pretoria, along with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks), to conduct a thorough investigation into the leak and hold those responsible accountable.

This week, the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced Matodzi to 495 years of direct imprisonment for charges including corruption, theft, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering.

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Despite the lengthy sentence, Matodzi will effectively serve 15 years, as the court ordered the sentences for counts two to 33 to run concurrently with count one. Matodzi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have yet to issue an official statement in response to the allegations. However, Julius Malema posted an image with the caption: “For any inquiries, please refer to the archives for answers,” maintaining his innocence in the VBS bank looting saga.

For any inquiries, please refer to the archives for answers. pic.twitter.com/oCak9cN7Iu

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 12, 2024

Meanwhile, political parties such as ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) are calling for immediate action against Malema and Shivambu. ActionSA’s Limpopo Provincial Chairperson, Victor Mothemela, announced that the party would request an urgent probe from the Hawks following the allegations.

The DA’s Baxolile Nodada also stated that the party has written to the Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ian Cameron, to summon the South African Police Service for an explanation on the lack of progress in the charges laid against Malema and Shivambu in 2018.