Factual errors create false impression

IN reference to “Evraz milked Highveld Steel, then sank it” (April 3), by Chris Barron, a number of factual errors and incorrect innuendos were made which unfortunately could create a false impression about a critical empowerment transaction that ArcelorMittal South Africa is finalising.

Mr Barron states as a matter of fact that Likamva Resources is a “politically connected” company. He does not say how he arrives at this conclusion or what formula he uses to qualify this statement. Mr Barron did not seek clarity from the company.

Mr Barron also states as fact that “a director of Arcelor’s mooted BEE partner is also a board member of the Jacob Zuma Foundation”. This is an unfounded claim. None of the Likamva Resources directors are trustees or board members of the mentioned foundation.

The article further suggests the existence of a politicalinspired conspiracy to derail the Highveld Steel business rescue process in favour of ArcelorMittal South Africa and Likamva Resources.

This is another unfortunate fiction by the writer. Likamva has never been involved in any discussion relating to the Highveld Steel rescue process, and therefore any attempt to link Likamva to the collapse of the rescue process is not only mischievous but also disingenuous.

Likamva is getting involved in ArcelorMittal South Africa with the clear objective of working with current shareholders and management to build a sustainable and profitable business that will play a critical developmental role in the reindustrialisation of South Africa. — Warren Wheatley, Likamva director