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A possible attempt of the SAA to contravene the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE) has been stopped after the B-BBEE Commission investigated the matter late last year and confronted the SAA about it, following a request by the FF Plus, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on Trade and Industry said.

SAA had apparently instructed Bidvest last year to transfer 30% of its subsidiary which cleans aircraft toilets to a black empowerment partner of the SAA’s choice.

Bidvest said in reaction to this request that its subsidiary BidAir Services already had Black ownership of 63,42% and that black women have a 24,85% share in the enterprise. It had already surpassed the prescribed BEE requirements by far.

In a letter that the FF Plus has just received from the Commission’s acting Commissioner, Ms. Zodwa Ntuli, she states that the matter was investigated on the instruction of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, following a complaint by the FF Plus.

Her reply reads amongst others that: “We have advised the South African Airways fully on the requirements of the B-BBEE Act, and that any action or practice that will be implemented in this regard without complying with these requirements will attract an investigation, and may lead to prosecution if it is found to violated the B-BBEE Act. … [T]here appears to be no practice that has been implemented yet in violation of the B-BBEE Act. We will continue to monitor the matter…”

Adv. Alberts says that the FF Plus is satisfied with the fact that the commission had investigated the matter following the party’s request and that it is prepared to continuously monitor the matter.

“Although the FF Plus does not at all agree with the B-BBEE as an upliftment program, the party will however see to it that the ANC sticks to the letter of its own rules and that there isn’t more empowerment than is allowed.

“BEE is inherently a racist instrument that does not align with the fact that impoverishment is taking place across racial lines. The FF Plus believes in the empowerment of the poor through projects where merit appointments and proper mentorship are the requirements.

“The FF Plus will engage with Bidvest to enquire whether they have any proof that they were forced to adhere to a larger empowerment requirement than is provided for in the Act. Should such proof exist, it will be handed to the Commission for further firm action against the SAA,” Adv. Anton says.

Issued by FF Plus