In a statement on Tuesday evening, the civil rights organisation AfriForum said they had placed the minister and the department of small business development “on terms” to give them a written undertaking that “race would in no way play any role in the provision of aid to businesses that apply to government for relief as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
AfriForum on Tuesday evening took issue with the fact that relief would be provided on the basis of such demographic and geographic representation. “Furthermore, it is also clear on the webpage where businesses can apply for aid that businesses must indicate their BEE-status. AfriForum requested that the minister give them written confirmation by 4.30pm on Wednesday that “government would not persist in its intention to discriminate against applicants based on race”.
DA MP Dean Macpherson said the issue had caused mass panic in the business community due to the departmental document being leaked.“This is why the DA wrote to Minister Patel on 20 March 2019 to encourage him to put a moratorium on BEE requirements linked to funding and incentives because it would effectively miss 93% of all businesses who are BEE exempt and do not require black ownership,” said Macpherson.