The public hearing into AgriBEE was apparently poorly advertised and the date changed several times, but this didn’t prevent the Agricultural Business Chamber, Agri SA and TAU, among many others, from making representations that occupied the committee until almost 7pm.Committee members were left wondering about the value of it all, given that both the DG and the agriculture minister were absent.
“The AgriBEE charter has only been in existence for about 18 months, so it’s a bit of a mystery why the hearing was staged, because not much time has been afforded for compliance,” said DA committee member Lourie Bosman.“Even the ANC members of the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the DG,” added Deetlefs Du Toit, the DA’s deputy shadow agriculture minister.
“There’s a very clear rift between the portfolio committee members and the ministry.“One senses they have a very real fear of the possibility of Mozambique-style food riots and shortages, whereas the ministry seems more preoccupied with grandstanding before voters ahead of the next election,” he said.
