Pretoria – Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi has rejected reports that he was conflicted when he intervened in the mining strike in the platinum belt.
According to media reports on Friday, at the time, Minister Ramatlhodi intervened in the strike, he held shares of R20-million in a black economic empowerment (BEE) company partner of mining company Anglo American Platinum.
In a statement on Friday, the Mineral Resources Department said the Minister had, when he was appointed in his position, instructed his attorney to relinquish his shares.
“The Minister rejects the story, which seeks to discredit him by casting doubt on his motives for intervening in the dispute between labour and business in the North West platinum belt.
“Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi has been Mineral Resources Minister for exactly a month. When he was appointed by the President to serve in this portfolio, the first thing he did, even before engaging with his stakeholders, he immediately instructed his attorney Mr Marothi Ledwaba, to put all his mining interests in a blind trust.
“These are interests which were acquired over a decade ago, and which were held in his former wife’s name,” the department said.
The department also said that the Minister’s attorney advised him that given the conflict of interest which may arise, perceived or not, the Minister should rather relinquish his shares. “The Minister heeded this advice and instructed the attorney to act accordingly.”
The Minister’s attorney is currently effecting this instruction, the department said.
“It is common knowledge that legal processes are complex, and effecting this instruction cannot happen overnight. The Minister could not have foreseen that he would be appointed to this position, and could therefore not have acted sooner.
“It is unfortunate that the Mail & Guardian chose not to use the factual responses provided to them.” – Sanews.gov.za
