By OBAKENG MAJE
9 July 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) today said it debated against the Budget tabled by the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane because she came to the NCOP under a ‘cloud of crime and corruption’. The DA said it will not allow Simelane a platform to sweep this under the carpet.
The DA’s Member of Parliament (MP), Ofentse Mokae said they will oppose her department budget vigorously until President Ramaphosa removes her from office. Mokae said Ramaphosa continues to take zero action against ANC Ministers implicated in corruption, crime and lying to Parliament.
“Simelane is now under criminal investigation for the Vitrovian scandal, where Eskom was fleeced of R700 000 through fake invoices and ghost employees. Ramaphosa’s lack of action against ANC Ministers involved in criminal matters proves that the ANC harbours and protects crime and corruption.
“Many South Africans have been waiting for housing since 1996, despite years of delivery. The department must urgently digitise the housing allocation list to prevent fraud and corruption,” he said.
Mokae further said the Emergency Housing Response Fund is being abused and must be tightly controlled and more agile.
He added that Northern Cape housing projects face major delays and cost pressures that need ministerial intervention.
“Ethical leadership is essential – public officials must serve with integrity and accountability,” said Mokae.
The DA’s Member of Parliament (MP), Rikus Badenhorst said Simelane is under active police investigation and should not oversee a R34 billion budget. Badenhorst said her record includes alleged corruption linked to Eskom ghost workers and Kusile deals.
“The department’s credibility is compromised, while she remains, risking housing delivery targets. Despite real budget cuts and backlogs, leadership under a cloud cannot inspire trust.
“The DA supports housing investment, but not under tainted leadership – the Minister must be fired,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DA’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Gauteng, Mervyn Cirota said: “There is widespread corruption, irregular expenditure, and procurement fraud within the department. Mega housing projects are stalled due to municipalities misusing grant funds for unrelated issues.
“Forensic reports reveal deep-rooted malfeasance, with little action taken to hold officials accountable. Gauteng’s housing crisis mirrors national dysfunction – corruption at the top enables it below.”
The Guardian 