Johannesburg – South Africa’s Chamber of Mines wanted to know the extent of “potential Gupta family involvement in the selection of Cabinet Ministers in South Africa”, it said on Thursday.
Chamber spokeswoman Charmane Russell said the Chamber was concerned about the “widespread allegations of state capture”.
“The Chamber notes that allegations of links of the Minister of the Department of Mineral Resources to the Gupta family, and allegations that some of his special advisors are linked to the boards of the Gupta family companies.”
She said these allegations were causing the country’s mining sector to ask questions, especially in the light that there were “reports that mining companies are being placed under undue pressure via inappropriate section 93 notices for alleged failure to meet the ownership requirements of the Charter when the subject matter is presently before the court for a ruling, or section 54 mine safety stoppage notices, given the damage these can do to the industry and investor confidence”.
She said the Chamber believed that these issues were of concern for South Africa and the mining industry as the country’s “mining sector is in crisis”.
She further said: “Allegations of corruption and undue political influence in licensing decisions are not in the interests of the industry or the country.”
“Policy stability and certainty and fair and transparent implementation of the laws from a licensing perspective are needed,” she said, since mining “remains a key window on the South African economy through which the global investor community views the country and its investment rating status”.
“The Chamber will continue to engage all relevant parties, including the Minister of Mineral Resources, so that we can address matters negatively affecting the mining sector and the negative perceptions affecting investment in our country.”
African News Agency
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