Former Treasury DG Denies VBS Corruption, Says He Blocked Not Facilitated Looting
Image Source: Dondo Mogajane, former director-general of the National Treasury, on Friday denied allegations of corruption levelled against him by convicted ex-VBS Mutual Bank chairperson, Tshifhiwa Matodzi (via Gallo Images)
Published by Everything ZA News
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Dondo Mogajane, embroiled in controversy after a leaked affidavit from a convicted criminal, has emphatically denied any wrongdoing. Mogajane, the former director-general of the National Treasury, refuted claims that he received bribes to influence financial decisions in favor of VBS Mutual Bank.
Tshifhiwa Matodzi, the disgraced former chairman of VBS, is currently serving a sentence for fraud. His leaked affidavit alleged that a one-million-rand bribe was paid to Mogajane to facilitate the withdrawal of a Treasury circular that restricted municipalities from depositing funds with VBS.
Breaking his silence on Friday, Mogajane vehemently denied the accusations. “I will not allow corrupt individuals to tarnish my name,” he declared. Instead, he portrayed himself as a central figure in stopping the looting of VBS.
Mogajane detailed his actions during his tenure, claiming he provided “countless affidavits, statements, meeting minutes, circulars, and recordings” to authorities dating back to 2017. He acknowledged meeting with Matodzi on several occasions, but stressed that these encounters occurred after the Treasury issued a circular in August 2017. This circular explicitly warned municipalities that depositing funds with VBS violated municipal finance regulations.
Mogajane went on to denounce Matodzi as “a convicted felon who defrauded South Africans.” He emphasized that the moral principles guiding his 23-year career in public service remain steadfast.
The accusations and Mogajane’s rebuttal come amid ongoing investigations into the VBS scandal. The bank’s collapse left a trail of financial ruin for municipalities and impoverished communities. Mogajane’s role in the events surrounding VBS remains a matter of intense scrutiny as authorities seek to hold those responsible accountable.
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