DA files criminal charges against Minister Thembi Simelane over alleged Eskom fraud

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed formal corruption charges against Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, accusing her of fraudulent activities during her previous employment with consulting firm Vitrovian.

According to the DA, Simelane allegedly participated in defrauding Eskom of more than R700,000 through inflated billing practices.

The party claims Eskom hired Vitrovian to suppress protests at the Kusile Power Plant during construction.

“Simelane’s signature appears on the very first of these fraudulent invoices, directly implicating her in the scandal,” the DA stated in their announcement.

Thembi Simelane

The party further alleges that Vitrovian’s charges to Eskom were “ridiculously inflated” and included invoices for work reportedly done by non-existent employees.

DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, expressed confidence that a South African Police Service investigation would “get to the bottom of these allegations.”

The DA’s Adv Glynnis Breytenbach has laid charges of corruption against ANC Minister Thembi Simelane.

First, she was implicated in the VBS scandal, she is now reported to have stolen funds by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for Vitrovian: https://t.co/lODVBttEPA pic.twitter.com/iIa2AHpiGf

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 16, 2025

Simelane previously dismissed allegations

Simelane previously addressed similar accusations on 31 March 2025, characterising them as “misleading reports” designed to sensationalise her name.

“The minister wishes to dismiss these claims with the contempt they deserve and views them as a desperate attempt to draw her name in controversies for sensationalisation,” her office stated at the time.

Simelane’s department confirmed she had worked as a Project Director at Vitrovian for seven months in 2011 but insisted she “was not responsible for the contractual obligations of Vitrovian.”

“Once again, I hasten to correct the misconception that the position of project director would have in any way allowed me to enjoy intimate knowledge of the company’s financial transactions with Eskom or any client of the company,” Simelane said.

“This assertion is simply false and is bordering on gutter journalism.”

DA links Simelane to previous controversies

The DA also referenced Simelane’s alleged involvement in the VBS Bank scandal, claiming President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to disclose the contents of Simelane’s report on these allegations despite multiple requests.

“The president’s continued protection of Simelane raises serious questions on his ability and willingness to root out corruption at the highest level,” the DA stated, adding that “President Ramaphosa is allowing a culture of impunity among ANC ministers implicated in corruption”.

The DA said it would “purge this government of its corrupt officials, with or without the help of the president”.

In other news – Gogo Skhotheni sparks debate after revealing her ancestral calling was actually depression

Former reality TV star and well-known podcaster Gogo Skhotheni has stirred up intense conversations on social media after making a surprising revelation about her past as a sangoma. In a deeply personal moment during an exchange with Real Housewives of Durban alum Slee “The Boss Lady,” Skhotheni admitted that what she once believed was an ancestral calling may have actually been depression.

Her candid statement—“You are one of those who simply think they have a calling, kumbe it’s depression. Uzoba strong”—was reshared by celebrity blog Maphepha Ndaba, and quickly went viral. The remark shocked many of her followers and sparked both praise and criticism from fans and spiritual observers alike. Read More