Sanctions or not, we won't back down: ANC defiant on BBBEE amid US pressure

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has criticised the Democratic Alliance (DA) for campaigning against South Africa's transformation policies abroad, saying this has contributed to punitive US tariffs and threats of sanctions against ANC leaders.

- HOPE NTANZI

South Africa faces a potential 30% tariff on exports to the US.

He warned the ANC would not abandon its transformation agenda, including Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), despite pressure from Washington and its political allies.

Addressing the media in the post-NEC briefing on Wednesday, Mbalula said the ANC is not prepared to abandon its economic transformation policies to appease the United States.

“You must understand that the tariffs imposed by the United States of America are going to negatively affect our economy,” he said.

Mbalula accused the DA of lobbying during US visits to have policies like BBBEE scrapped, which he said aligns with longstanding imperialist attitudes.