SACP STATEMENT ON DEVELOPMENTS AT THE ESTATE AGENCY AFFAIRS BOARD
The SACP has noted reports about the suspension of the CEO of the Estate Agency Affairs Board, Nomonde Mapetla. The SACP is extremely concerned about the circumstances under which the suspension has taken place. It would appear that the Board initiated this suspension against the backdrop of a cleanup of what from a distance seems like an untransformed industry that at best is extremely corrupt. It seems as if this industry is a hotbed for white (both literally and figuratively) collar crime.
The SACP calls on the Department of Trade and Industry to launch a full scale investigation into the developments surrounding the Estate Agency Affairs Board, as well as how this maybe a reflection of deeper malaise in the property industry. Faced with an onslaught on their scrupulous methods of work it would seem that some estate agents and possibly big property dealers connived to force the CEO out and the board played along.
The problem as the SACP sees it is much deeper and reflects an untransformed industry still controlled by the minority white capitalists. By their nature capitalists do not like any form of scrutiny. It cannot be, in the light of the complaints that the SACP has continued to receive about the role of agents who seem to be involved in high level collusion, that big property deals are still controlled in an untransformed manner.
In our view part of the investigation should seek to establish the extent to which the property industry also undermine some of the key goals of the proposed new growth path. If we do not aggressively seek to transform this industry our Manifesto commitment to Create 400,000 housing units in the next five years, mixed income residential areas, and on well-located land with services and within a 30-45 minute journey to work that uses less than 8% of disposable income for transport, will remain a pipe dream.
Statement issued by the SACP, March 8 2011
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