VBS: ActionSA disappointed in light sentence for Municipal Manager

19 October 2023

ActionSA has learnt, with consternation, the light sentence received by former Thulamela Municipal Manager, Hlengani Maluleke, for his role in the VBS scandal. Although we welcome the fact that the municipality suffered no financial loss as the money illegally invested was recouped with some interest. The fact of the matter is that Maluleke was part of a syndicate that looted the bank causing untold suffering to many clients of the bank, most of them old and vulnerable people.

This comes after he received a 5-year suspended sentence at the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

This sentence confirms our belief that organised crime syndicates have been emboldened by the lack of accountability in South Africa and thus operate without fear of consequences. We cannot allow this situation to continue, and as such, call for the reform of the criminal and civil justice system to deal effectively with this challenge.

As ActionSA, we are clear that corruption must be declared as public enemy number one, and South Africa and South Africans must take a zero-tolerance approach to any and all corruption. The VBS heist is undoubtedly one of the most daring crimes in recent history and those that have participated in corruption must be held to account.

Despite the existence of anti-corruption laws, enforcement has been a significant challenge in South Africa. As an ActionSA government our key focus will be in strengthening the prosecution processes by enhancing the independence and capacity of judiciary and law enforcement agencies. We believe that swift prosecution with stringent penalties for those found guilty of corruption would serve as a strong deterrent to corruption and other crimes.

We are monitoring all developments regarding this bank heist. Thousands of innocent souls lost their life savings to the shenanigans of a criminal syndicate masquerading as banking executives.

ActionSA stands with the victims of this crime and will do everything in our power to ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet. We call upon the South African criminal justice system to move into top gear and ensure that the real trial commences as soon as possible for justice to be seen to be done.

Justice delayed, is justice denied.

Issued by Sello Lediga, ActionSA Limpopo Provincial Chairperson, 19 October 2023