Furore over R7m funding given to Gupta-linked organisation

Financing to the tune of R7 million given by the department of trade and industry (dti) to the Gupta-linked Black Business Council (BBC) has raised eyebrows.

But dti has defended its decision to finance the BBC, saying it was money given to capacitate the organisation to promote black business and sustain itself as professional body.

Departmental spokesperson Sidwell Medupe said the money was meant to build capacity for the council to enable it to do its advocacy work and promote black professionals.

Medupe said the BBC was not the only organisation funded recently, adding that any professional body espousing black economic empowerment would be considered under the department’s programme.

“The idea is to build capacity for these bodies, so they can get off the ground. We want to establish strong business-related organisations capable of producing young entrepreneurs and industrialists, something the BBC has done successfully,” Medupe said.

But the opposition on Thursday questioned the DTI about the R7 million given to the organisation over the last three years.

DA trade and industry shadow minister Geordin Hill-Lewis lambasted the department for financing an organisation that had openly attacked National Treasury and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, saying it had close links to the Gupta family.

Hill-Lewis was referring to the link between one of BBC’s leaders, Mzwanele Manyi, and the Gupta family, including his continued criticism of Gordhan.

Manyi has defended the Guptas against the criticism they received over allegations of state capture.

“It is not very clear what BBC has delivered for this amount of R7 million, if anything,” Hill-Lewis contended.

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