NDZ slams Johann Rupert over his ‘theft’ remarks on economic transformation

ANC presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has taken a dig at South Africa’s richest man, Johann Rupert, for dismissing the governing party’s radical economic transformation programme as nothing but “a code word for theft”.

Speaking on Tuesday night at the inaugural National Funeral Indaba gala dinner in Durban, Dlamini-Zuma said the billionaire businessman’s statement was an insult to black people, without directly mentioning Rupert by name.

“I have heard that somebody had said that radical economic transformation is just theft. This is an insult to all black people. We must reject this. We must all commit to radical economic transformation‚” Dlamini-Zuma reportedly said, according to a TimesLIVE report.

Last week, while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of Richemont’s annual general meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Rupert slammed the ANC programme, saying “they’re raiding the state’s coffers. And it’s public knowledge”.

His statements received a stinging response from the party, which said racialised economic relations in the country had “produced the generational wealth” of the Rupert Family. The ANC said it was unapologetic about radical economic transformation and would not be deterred by “naysayers” such as Rupert.

“For his part, Rupert would be well-advised to desist from derogatory, unfounded statements based on his innate inclination to preserve privilege and prosperity for a few,” ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said in a statement on Thursday.

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