Afrocentric healthcare group accused of using black doctor as BEE front to support credentials
HEALTHCARE heavyweight Afrocentric is being accused of using a black doctor to support their black economic empowerment (BEE) status, and are now allegedly harassing her after she refused to be part of the scheme.
South African born doctor Nomteto Belinda Ogundipe allegedly approached UDM leader and member of Parliament Bantu Holomisa with a complaint to the effect that Afrocentric had embarked on a scheme to use her as a BEE front.
In a letter seen by the Cape Times' sister newspaper, Pretoria News, Holomisa on a parliamentary letterhead requests the intervention of Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Pate.
The letter reads in part: “I was recently approached by Dr Nomteto Belinda Ogundipe with a complex self-explanatory recount of what happened to her in a BEE fronting scheme.
“From what I gather it has been a case of entering into an agreement with Dr Ogundipe and the shifting of the goalposts with regards to equipment necessary for her practice.
“Dr Ogundipe is essentially now being harassed to be an BEE partner in this scheme.
“I humbly request your urgent assistance in this matter, where this giant is allegedly abusing this little person.”
Ogundipe could not be reached for comment while DTI spokesperson Bongani Lukhele referred the enquiry to BEE commission representative Mofihli Teleki, who confirmed that the commission was aware of the letter and were investigating the matter.
He said in response to questions from the Pretoria News: “The BBBEE Commission confirms that a formal complaint was lodged by Dr Belinda Ogundipe on 15 November 2022.
“All complaints received by the BBBEE Commission are subjected to a screening process that determines the merit of each matter as per the procedures and regulations of the Commission.”
He added that an investigation would be launched if they found that the complaint had merit.
“At this moment, while the complaint is being assessed, the Commission is not in a position to comment further on the matter.
“The Commission intends to complete the assessment of the complaint as soon as possible.”
It's not the first time the healthcare giant is in hot water.
Responding to questions from Pretoria News, Afrocentric spokesperson Palesa Makhetha, said: “The AfroCentric Group categorically rejects these claims as baseless and factually incorrect”.