Publications
Partners
The Black Business Council’s downward spiral looks like it is gaining momentum.
Presidents of some of the BBC’s business affiliates and chapters met on Thursday and resolved to petition national officer bearers, propose a motion of no confidence in them and call for early elections.
At least four reliable independent sources said the meeting resolved to order the national officer bearers to convene a national council meeting within 14 days to account for the state of the organisation.
Among the matters on the agenda will be the issuing of donations and sponsorships, which apparently have been requested on behalf of the organisation without formal processes being followed and at times without even the knowledge of the BBC.
Thursday’s meeting almost did not happen after a message was sent to affiliates stating that it was not sanctioned by the national office bearers and was, therefore, not an official meeting.
Keith Thabo, one of the affiliates’ presidents, sent an explosive message to BBC chairperson Sello Rasethaba, accusing him of having “selective amnesia”.
“Chairman, let me take this opportunity to educate you and the rest of the NOBs [national office bearers] on how the BBC functions, since you clearly have a lack of knowledge of how this animal works.
“Chapters of the BBC are not convened by office bearers, they have their own conveners who might happen to be VPs [vice-presidents] of the BBC, but the chapters can have their own internal arrangements on how they call their meetings.
“These don’t require NOBs’ approval. Since you have developed selective amnesia, let me remind you of how we got to this stage of calling the ‘special organised chapter meeting’,” Thabo wrote.
The meeting, held at the BBC head office in Illovo, northern Johannesburg, coincided with a visit to the organisation by a team from the SA Revenue Service, allegedly over the organisation’s long-standing hefty tax bill, which is said to be in the region of R4 million.
The team from Sars met some national officer bearers and BBC CEO Kganki Matabane and allegedly discussed the organisation’s failure to comply with a payment plan agreement, a source close to the matter said.
“Unfortunately, Sars does not comment to third parties about matters that involve other taxpayers. As a result, we’re unable to confirm or deny [what the meeting was about],” said Sars.
The BBC said: “We are not willing to discuss our taxation affairs in public.
“The BBC national office bearers are meeting all its chapters next week, including professionals, organised business, stalwarts and corporates. These meetings will discuss the business of the BBC, including the code of conduct.”
Meanwhile, lobbying within the organisation has already begun, with businessmen Sandile Zungu and Sipho Nkosi just two of the names put forward to run for president in the coming elections.
Zungu confirmed that although he had not been approached to run for president in the BBC’s next elective conference, he would definitely consider it if he was approached.
Nkosi told City Press he had not been approached and would not even consider the position if he was asked to run for president.
* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER
