AfriForum and Solidarity are ready to challenge Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and will continue with a court application to have the government’s Tourism Equity Fund declared illegal. The court granted an interdict to the two institutions on 27 April 2021 that prevented the government from paying out any funds pending this court ruling.
“We look forward to facing the Minister in court. She likes to mention that black-owned businesses suffer and that they should receive help but does not consider the white-owned businesses or their employees. It is convenient for her to denounce Solidarity and AfriForum as sinners; yet it is she and her department who failed to follow the necessary administrative processes and therefore wrongly established this fund,” says Anton van der Bijl, Head of Legal Matters at Solidarity.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s lockdown regulations have affected all businesses in the tourism industry, regardless of the owners’ race. The Minister of Tourism is troubled by the fact that AfriForum and Solidarity are ‘frustrating’ the racist, discriminatory Tourism Equity Fund. However, AfriForum and Solidarity will gladly ‘frustrate’ and oppose those trying to further systemic racism against minorities,” says Ernst van Zyl, Campaign Officer of Strategy and Content at AfriForum.
“We cannot allow the government to establish race funds which ultimately harms everyone. It is not only black or white owners, but also numerous employees and families who are affected by the government’s short-sightedness. We will continue to be a watchdog and hold the government accountable,” concludes Van der Bijl.