Dealings of the National Empowerment Fund must be exposed

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) is an open purse for wealthy black people with ANC ties and the time has come for the NEF's activities to be exposed, adv. Anton Alberts, the Freedom Front Plus' parliamentary spokesperson on trade and industry says.

According to Adv. Alberts, the latest shock at the NEF pertains to the allegations of fraud and corruption which, according to media reports, involves the chief executive officer, Ms. Philisiwe Mthethwa (see here).

Mthethwa is on special leave for the duration of the investigation.

In another shock, it was revealed that the NEF had granted a loan amounting to R9,8 million three years ago to Mthethwa's brother, Nkanyiso Buthelezi. According to reports, not one cent has been repaid to the fund.

Mthethwa is the wife of Mr. Nathi Mthethwa, the minister of Police.

Adv. Alberts says the fund and the favouring of a small number of wealthy black people is a slap in the face of every South African, especially those who struggle financially, as well as those who really need assistance to start a business enterprise.

A good example of this is the NEF's awarding of a loan of more than R34 million to the black businesswoman, Khanyi Dhlomo, to finance her exclusive boutique Luminance in Hyde Park Johannesburg.

"The question should also be asked who will be doing the investigation of Ms. Mthethwa if the allegations of irregularities are found to hold any truth. The unpalatable situation will now arise where the minister of Police will have to appoint people to investigate allegations against his own wife.

"It cannot be argued away that such an investigation, against the backdrop of daily reports of corruption and cover-ups on the highest level, will not convince the South African public.

"The state will have to intervene and thoroughly inform the public of South Africa what has happened with the fund in the past three years and who has been favoured by it.

"This cannot continue. The NEF is nothing other than a money trough which has been created by Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) to favour certain people.

"The FF Plus insists that the fund is closed immediately and a body is set up which will assist all people in South Africa, black and white, to build viable enterprises in in the interest of the economy of the whole of South Africa," Adv. Alberts says.

Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Trade and Industry, September 30 2013

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