ActionSA will on Tuesday file criminal charges against Justice Minister Thembi Simelane with the South African Police Service in Polokwane, relating to her alleged corrupt involvement with a VBS Mutual Bank loan, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to take "decisive action" against her.

It has been alleged that while serving as the mayor of Polokwane in 2016, Simelane took a loan of R575 600 from Gundo Wealth Solutions, the company that brokered “unlawful” investments of R349-million into VBS Bank on behalf of the Polokwane municipality, amongst others.

“It is well established that the so-called ‘loan’ was obtained in 2016 from Gundo Wealth Solutions, the same investment brokerage that unlawfully invested R349-million of Polokwane Municipality’s funds into the now-collapsed VBS Bank. New information suggesting the probable backdating of the loan agreement to potentially conceal the transaction warrants a criminal investigation, and as such, ActionSA will be filing criminal charges,” the party said.

Last month, ActionSA approached the Public Protector to urgently investigate allegations made against Simelane and to probe a potential violation of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.

Political parties have been calling for Simelane to step aside from her ministerial role while the allegations against her are investigated, with the DA reiterating its call for Simelane to step aside.

DA spokesperson on justice and constitutional development Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach said the recent disclosure of “glaring inconsistencies” in the so-called loan agreement with VBS corruption-accused Ralliom Razwinane, deepened the conflict of interest facing the Minister.

“The discrepancies in the document - such as contradicting payment dates and the strong suggestion that it was backdated - undermine any claim to transparency and raise serious questions about the Minister’s integrity,” added Breytenbach.

Considering these revelations, she said her party believed that Simelane should make the decision to step aside, as it “casts a shadow over her capacity” to uphold the justice system she is meant to serve.

“While we respect the National Prosecuting Authority’s mandate to investigate and decide on any potential prosecution, the President has a duty to act now in the face of what is clearly a blinding conflict of interest,” stated Breytenbach.

The party wants Simelane to be suspended or removed from her post to protect the integrity of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development.

“The South African public deserves leadership that is beyond reproach, particularly in matters as critical as justice and constitutional development,” highlighted Breytenbach.

Last week Simelane appeared before the African National Congress Integrity Commission. Earlier this month, she appeared before the Justice Portfolio Committee, and she is scheduled to meet with Ramaphosa.