The South African government will not be party to any litigation and civil suits against companies that benefited from apartheid, President Thabo Mbeki said on Tuesday.
In a special debate in the national assembly on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) final report, he also said government would not impose a once-off wealth tax on corporations, as proposed by the TRC.
Referring to proposed law suits against local companies in the United States, the president said it was unacceptable that matters central to the future of this country could be adjudicated in foreign courts.
"While government recognises the right of citizens to institute legal action, its own approach is informed by the desire to involve all South Africans, including corporate citizens, in a co-operative and voluntary partnership to reconstruct and develop South African society."
Consultations would continue with business to examine ways in which they could contribute to the reconstruction and development of the country, Mbeki said. - Sapa