DA slams BEE as 'looting' that benefits only an elite few

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has fiercely criticised Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), arguing that the policy benefits only a small elite and is fundamentally no different from "looting".

Speaking during a National Assembly debate on Friday, the DA's finance spokesperson, Mark Burke, said BEE has "nothing to do with Black Economic Empowerment" and only serves to "deny economic opportunities for South Africans".

The DA sponsored the debate on the urgent need to review the country’s public procurement laws, arguing that the legislation must be relooked to ensure greater economic inclusion.

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Burke told the debate that the policy benefits a minority of people, thereby denying most South Africans an opportunity.

"In this country, you need to know the right comrades. You need to be born with a billionaire’s surname. That’s what looting has brought us. This is what BEE has brought us," Burke stated.

"BEE has nothing to do with Black Economic Empowerment."

However, the African National Congress’ (ANC) Seaparo Sekoati countered the argument, saying BEE legislation does not target only black people.

He noted that the legislation has also benefited "white women who were also marginalised by white men".

Sekoati maintained that the economy would never have transformed without the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) legislation.

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