OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Monday
CAPE Towns Anglican Church Archbishop, the Reverend Njongonkulu Ndungane, has spoken out against a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) plan to get big business to contribute to a fund for victims of apartheid, saying it was governments responsibility.
Ndungane was reacting to a statement by TRC compensation and rehabilitation committee chairman Hlengiwe Mkhize, who threatened to call on government to institute legislation forcing companies that profited from apartheid to contribute to the fund.
It is totally inexcusable for the government not to honour its commitment to compensating victims, while implementing the other end of its agreement – giving amnesty to apartheid offenders, he said.
Earlier, Mkhize said she was filled with revulsion over companies refusal to contribute to the fund, since most of them had benefited from apartheid laws. The commission intends holding consultation work sessions with all companies approached for contributions to once again emphasise the importance of the issue.
However, Ndungane pointed out that the R3bn needed for the compensation fund was small change in comparison to the R43bn in taxpayers money the government intended spending on its controversial arms deal.
The government has only contributed about R300m to the fund, while international donors have given R400m. Victims will receive between R17_000 to R23_000 annually for six years.
Some of the companies that rejected the commissions request – since their budgets provided for community involvement spending already – include the Rembrandt Group, Anglo American, Tongaat Huletts, Woolworths, Barlows and the Foundation for African Business and Consumer Services. Other companies, such as Cyril Ramaphosas Johnnic, indicated they never received a written request.
Ndungane said it was unreasonable to approach the business sector constantly for all kinds of financial assistance, since companies have to show profits to keep their shareholders happy.
Government communications service chief Joel Netshitenze said in response that the governments approach would rather be to negotiate with companies than institute legislation.