MEDIA RELEASE

20 October 2020

 

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Nomalungelo Gina has described fronting and misrepresentation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status by some South African companies as a demon that shatters the transformation agenda of the country.

 

She addressed a webinar hosted by the B-BBEE Commission to discuss these matters. The session also had as speakers from the Special Investigating Unit, National Prosecuting Authority and Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

 

“Misrepresentation and fronting by white companies is a serious problem in this country and it has advanced itself to become too sophisticated to easily detect. Unfaithful entities have learnt how to blend their B-BBEE status to appear as genuinely complying with the codes and therefore escape transformation imperatives as set out by this government. But equally, because of desperation, these white companies find some willing black fronting tokens who agree to assist in this camouflaging efforts and be made to sign shareholding equities whilst knowing that they are not,” Gina said.

 

She urged the B-BBEE Commission to be activist in its approach. “The B-BBEE Commission must be a bedrock upon which black participants in various sectors of the economy must rely in advancing participation levels in the economy. The failure and the success of the B-BBEE Commission would be measured by the extent to which it succeeds to stamp its authority and force companies through the power of the legislation, and the capacity of our investigators, criminal cases which must go to court against transgressors.”

 

Violations of the B-BBEE Act include engaging in fronting practice; providing false information to organs of state and misrepresentation of B-BBEE status, among others.

 

Head of the B-BBEE Commission, Ms Zodwa Ntuli says 26 years after the attainment of democracy, ownership patterns remain unacceptable in South Africa. She says fronting sabotages the economy of the country, as government seeks to ensure that black people play a meaningful role in the economy and its growth.

 

Since 2016, over 800 cases were received for investigation by the B-BBEE Commission. About 386 were finalised and having gone through several stages of investigation, 7 matters are now referred to the National Prosecuting Authority and South African Police Service for further processing. An additional 486 cases are still being investigated. Penalties for fronting include up to 10 years’ imprisonment or a fine of 10% of the Annual Turnover for a business entity. Convicted offenders may also be barred from doing business with organs of state, in terms of section 13P of the B-BBEE Act.

 

Ntuli lamented staff shortages as hampering the work of the B-BBEE Commission and hopes the government will assist in capacitating the entity with more investigators. She committed the B-BBEE Commission to strengthening efforts to tackle violations of the B-BBEE Act.

 

“We plan to enhance cooperation with law enforcement agencies because we believe success in dealing with violators will send a strong message to those involved in such activities and to the broader South African society,” she said.

Enquiries:

Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
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