Relationship between Midrand Local Economic Empowerment Forum and Attacq on rocky ground

A tug of war has emerged between Midrand Local Economic Empowerment Forum and Attacq Property company which is said to be causing a breakdown in their newly-established relationship.

The two parties agreed to develop a working relationship on 5 March after the forum threatened to march against the company responsible for the development of Waterfall City and Africa Mall. They came to the table and agreed to work together subsequently, resulting in the march being called off.

The forum is demanding business opportunities for local small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and employment for locals to equip them with skills.

The forum has also planned another march scheduled to take place on 25 and 26 April against Attacq after claims that the company has failed to commit to demands in their memorandum of understanding including a 30 per cent clause in all their contracts with their service providers.

Chief operations officer for Attacq, Jackie van Niekerk said the company did not want to commit to the forum before they knew who they were and the database of their suppliers and skills they offer. “What is it that we have to commit to? We had meetings with them but there was no agreement. We only agreed to work together with them. For the company to support and get involved in a programme, it must fit with the company’s terms,” she said.

Transformation specialist at Attacq, Danny Vermeulen who has met with the forum on three occasions further alleged that the forum had not sent them a memorandum of understanding but a draft template that was not addressed to the company.

“We are very disturbed that today they come and say all these things. They are the ones who requested us to send them a template because they had never written a memorandum of understanding. It is clear that their intention was just to stop us from marching but they have no intention of empowering the community,” said executive member for Midrand Local Economic Empowerment Forum, Benson Motsumi.

Motsumi said they had also provided the company with references to the Attacq’s contractors who they had worked with and are still working with them. “Our own view is that Attacq is clearly not willing to work with or to empower blacks and local SMMEs. They do not care about the people who are sponsoring their businesses including the Mall of Africa, all they want from us is our money and nothing else,” added Motsumi.

He further said they will show the company their database during the march. “We have no time for games but we have all the time for the empowerment of our people. If they want to see our database, we will come out in our numbers to their premises during the march and there, they will see us.”

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