Thembi Simelane
Thembi Simelane is the South African Minister of Human Settlements, known for her advocacy on housing and service delivery issues. Recently, she highlighted the urgent need for electricity access, citing alarming statistics about informal structures burning down due to unsafe energy sources, and emphasized the critical role of electricity as a fundamental human right.
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Recent news mentions
Ramaphosa dithered for months to act against then justice minister Thembi Simelane when she was implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.
It’s time to be decisive, Mr President – The Mail & Guardian
South Africa· 2025-07-25
Former justice and constitutional development minister Thembi Simelane was moved to the human settlements portfolio after being exposed for dubious dealings.
SIU investigation into lottery corruption hamstrung by red tape – The Mail & GuardianSouth Africa· 2025-07-23
Thembi Simelane was mentioned as a minister the DA is pressing to dismiss due to allegations of wrongdoing.
DA to support departmental budgets after Nobuhle Nkabane’s axing – The Mail & GuardianSouth Africa· 2025-07-22
Figures like Thembi Simelane continue to hold positions of power despite serious allegations and misconduct.
The real test isn’t the GNU — it’s whether voters see through the elites – The Mail & GuardianSouth Africa· 2025-06-30
The DA had given Ramaphosa an ultimatum to fire corruption-accused ministers including Thembi Simelane.
DA will not leave GNU or table motion against Ramaphosa despite Whitfield firing – The Mail & GuardianSouth Africa· 2025-06-28
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane recently reported that in the six months before February 2025, more than 2,000 informal structures in South Africa burned down as a result of paraffin lamps and open fires for heat or light.
Why we must win social ownership – The Mail & GuardianSouth Africa· 2025-06-13