Cyril denies having any prior knowledge of looting at VBS Mutual Bank

Cyril denies having any prior knowledge of looting at VBS Mutual Bank

- The Presidency has categorically denied claims that President Ramaphosa had any prior knowledge or was warned about the looting which took place at VBS Mutual Bank

- Recent reports indicated that a shareholder of the bank had met with Ramaphosa in 2017 to warn the then deputy president of the illegal activity at the bank

- Ramaphosa’s office said these reports were baseless and unsubstantiated

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The Presidency has categorically denied recent claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa had any prior knowledge or received any advanced warning about the mass looting which took place at VBS Mutual Bank. Ramaphosa’s office said the reports were baseless and unsubstantiated.

Recent reports indicated that an unnamed VBS shareholder had met with Ramaphosa in January 2017 to warn the then deputy president of South Africa about the illegal activity which was taking place at the bank.

READ ALSO: ANC says heads must roll over VBS Mutual Bank looting scandal

Ramaphosa’s official spokesperson Khusela Diko rubbished the reports and said Ramaphosa had not met with any person linked to VBS bank during the time in question. She said Ramaphosa had absolutely not been given any prior warning of the dire situation at the bank.

Briefly.co.za gathered that Diko pointed out that Ramaphosa had been informed of the situation at VBS bank through official government communication channels and was specifically briefed about the situation at VBS by the National Treasury.

News24 reported that Ramaphosa had asked for a full report on the matter after he was initially briefed by members of the Treasury.

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Diko said South Africans should not allow themselves to be misled by the unsubstantiated and false reports in the media which were being used to draw attention away from the appalling crime which had been committed against some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

On Saturday, Ramaphosa called on the relevant law enforcement agencies to take swift and decisive action against those who were behind the despicable crime.

BusinessLive.co.za reported that Ramaphosa is expected to face tough questions in Parliament on Thursday afternoon. The Democratic Alliance has already noted it would grill the president to establish the veracity of the reports.

READ ALSO: FeesMustFall speaks ahead of sentencing: “Jail time should not deter us”

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Source: Briefly News

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