Mashatile: No need to ditch BEE legislation

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says it’s not necessary to ditch existing black economic empowerment legislation; rather a review and possible tweaks could address the shortcomings.

Pressed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon about whether he would support the party’s recently-proposed procurement legislation that is not race-based, Mashatile said there was no need for it.

Through various phases of Operation Vulindlela, Mashatile said that government was undertaking the necessary reform to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

While the DA's Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada argued that government’s broad-based black economic empowerment legislation was only benefiting the politically-connected, Mashatile said that the Department of Trade was currently reviewing it to determine where the gaps were to making it more inclusive.

"To the extent that there may be weaknesses, let’s correct that, let’s make amendments, that’s why there’s this review. There’s no need to ditch the legislation."

Challenged by Build One South Africa (BOSA)’ Mmusi Maimane about the differing policy views on the matter within the Government of National Unity, Mashatile said that all parties were being encouraged to support the review of the existing legislation.

"Hopefully, we will convince them that this is the right thing to do. You don’t have to throw away the legislation. You review it, amend it, make it better, so we can achieve our objectives."

Mashatile said that government was committed to ensuring legislation benefits the majority of South Africans.

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