In 1997, CIEX a private investigations company was commissioned by the government to investigate apartheid era crime and corruption. The report submitted to former President Thabo Mbeki suggested that billions were stolen by white capital of which R26 billion is recoverable immediately.
In August 2011 the former Public Protector indicated that she would conduct investigations into the matter of the stolen R26 billion. Black First Land First (BLF) has since 7 September 2015 been engaged in direct action to get the Public Protector to finalise her report in this respect.
Despite the fact the three investigations – Ciex, Heath and the Davis Panel of Experts – had found that ABSA had illegally benefitted from certain lifeboats obtained from SARB, the previous Public Protector did not do anything meaningful in this respect and she eventually vacated her office at the end of her tenure. After a successful meeting with BLF on the issue, the new Public Protector indicated in her preliminary report that ABSA had illegally benefitted in the amount of R3.2 billion from lifeboats obtained from SARB during the apartheid era. This finding by the Public Protector has vindicated BLF. This means that ABSA’s wrongdoings is now supported by four reports, two of which – Ciex report and the Public Protector’s preliminary report – calling for ABSA to pay back the money.
BLF has subsequently planned a new series of actions which is aimed at raising awareness about how ABSA illegally benefitted from the nation’s money.
On 28 January, BLF successfully held nationwide pickets at 50 ABSA outlets. This kick started the movement’s rolling protest action against ABSA to force it to pay back the money. This was followed, on the evening of Saturday 28 January, by a successful public dialogue on “why must ABSA pay back the money”.
BLF will continue to intensify its actions against ABSA until it pays back the money.
BLF is calling on the nation, progressive organisations, the church, revolutionary people’s movements, the revolutionary students and individuals to join the call for ABSA to pay back the money! We invite you to join us under the following details:
Date: 17 February 2017
Event: March to the South African Reserve Bank
Assembly Point: Church Square, Tshwane
Time: 10:00
Contact Person: Khumbu Bavu (National Coordinator, BLF)
Cell: 062 695 4985
Email: [email protected]
SARB has not done anything to protect the nation’s assets stolen by white capital. Also successive governors of SARB have defended white capital. The current leadership of SARB is beholden to the white owned banks and capital and therefore there is little reason to think that they will cooperate with the Public Protector in a manner that would help to return our stolen billions! The purpose of the march to SARB is to compel ABSA to pay back the money.
Your presence will be greatly appreciated. BLF will not stop until ABSA pays back the money which in turn must be used towards realizing Fees Must Fall and empowering the unemployed youth.
BLF National Convener
Andile Mngxitama
7 February 2017
Contact details
Black First Land First Email:[email protected]
Facebook: Black First Land First | Twitter: @black1stland1st
Website: www.blf.org.za