The Office of South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday denied allegations that Ramaphosa has benefited improperly from the black economic empowerment (BEE) procurement policies at national electricity utility Eskom.
This came after energy analyst Ted Blom said during a press club briefing on Friday in Cape Town that the proponents of Eskom’s BEE procurement policies are among the state-owned power monopoly’s biggest thieves.
Blom alleged that one of the biggest beneficiaries of the 51 percent black ownership requirement – above and beyond the mining charter requirement of 26 percent – was Ramaphosa’s company, Shanduka.
Blom’s remarks were published by Fin24, a local news outlet.
“It is a matter of public record that the Deputy President has divested of his interest in Shanduka Group and no longer holds any mining interests,” Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement.
“Ramaphosa undertook this divestment following his appointment to the position of Deputy President of South Africa to avoid any potential for conflict of interest,” his spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.
“It is unfortunate that the Mr. Blom, who presents himself as an industry analyst, would make claims that are factually incorrect,” said Mamoepa.
“It is also unfortunate that Fin24 would publish these claims without seeking comment from the Office of the Deputy President,” said the spokesperson. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
