The total amount is yet to tallied but could reach billions and could hit taxpayers in the pocket. : The fate of private commercial deposits with VBS is also in serious doubt, most notably that of about R370-million in funds meant for widows and orphans of former mineworkers. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G) The government is “going to have a lot to say” about the VBS Mutual Bank saga, at the upcoming medium term budget policy statement, new finance Minister Tito Mboweni said this week. Hopefully this will include details on the costs of the damage which are unlikely to be insignificant.