BBC's endorsement of Zuma a betrayal - Pityana

14 September 2016

Johannesburg – Businessman and chairperson of AngloGold Ashanti, Sipho Pityana is disappointed in the Black Business Council (BBC) for publicly endorsing President Jacob Zuma and has labelled it a “betrayal” that goes against the best interests of the country.

This follows reports in the Sunday Times that the BBC fully supports the president and wants him to complete his term in office. This is despite Pityana’s petition to have the president removed.

The president met with the BBC last Friday. The Presidency subsequently released a statement on Monday indicating that the president plans to address some of the issues raised by the organisation relating to economic transformation.

“We have resolved to work together even closer in order to ensure that we address the important issue of de-racialising the ownership, control and management of the economy,” said Zuma.

Spokesperson for the Presidency Bongani Ngqulunga told Fin24 that the president would reconvene with the organisation at a later stage to give feedback on the issues raised. However a date for the meeting has not been set up, as the president needs to consult with the relevant ministers.

Among the issues raised by the BBC include the objection for the president to sign the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill (Fica). The act aims to fight organised crime and terrorism by allowing for the investigation of accounts to expose illicit transactions.

In a statement, Pityana expressed his concerns for the stance taken by the BBC. “The BBC is supposed to be an important and rational voice of black business leadership, of which I am a part.” The BBC’s members include associations such as the Black Management Forum, Association of Black Chartered Accountants, and the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals.

“I have always believed that, as black business leaders, we are united in our belief that South Africa deserves a leadership that is transparent, accountable and free from corruption,” he stated.

According to the Presidency, among the BBC’s reasons for supporting the president was the progress made under Zuma’s administration in advancing black economic empowerment. This includes the establishment of a Small Business Development Department, the Black Industrialists Programme and the participation of South Africa in Brics and the participation of black business in the Brics Business Council.

But Pityana said that transformation and empowerment cannot be used as an excuse to defend corruption, poor governance and poor economic leadership. He added that the BBC’s reasons for supporting Zuma were “flimsy” and that they falter in comparison to the fact that the Constitutional Court found that the president failed to uphold his Oath of Office.

Pityana added that Zuma continued to “obstruct” efforts by business and labour to avoid a sovereign downgrade by failing to stabilise State-Owned Enterprises and to project policy certainty.

The BBC’s chairperson George Sebulela is yet to respond to Fin24's request for comment.

This article first appeared on Fin24, see here.