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A business boycott gained momentum on Tuesday when major retailers cut orders from vendors associated with the KwaSizabantu mission in the wake of allegations of abuse and money laundering, which threatened hundreds of jobs and risked damage to the regional economy.
Spar, Woolworths, Walmart’s Massmart (owner of Makro and Game) and Food Lover’s Market announced yesterday that they had suspended the orders, while demanding responses to the allegations.
The Human Rights Commission increased the pressure, which called for its own investigation, in addition to the police investigation confirmed by Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Woolworths was the first to announce that it was cutting ties, and Spar Group merchandise executive Mike Prentice confirmed that Business Insider that the group had suspended orders for Ekhamanzi Springs, which owns the aQuellé water brand, as well as for fruits and vegetables from Emseni Farming. At KZN, some Spar franchises also sell Bonlé, a yogurt brand associated with KwaSizabantu.
aQuellé is now struggling to survive and criticized the accusations as “vicious.”
aQuellé, who supports various Pietermaritzburg events, including the Midmar Mile swimming event that brings millions of rand annually to the Midlands, found itself in the line of fire after a News24 investigation alleged human rights abuses, including rape and sexual abuse on mission. Spar and Woolworths turned their backs on Quellé despite the fact that the Ekhamanzi Springs bottler sent a letter to all its customers and partners in defense of the mission.
“We invite you to visit the mission and see for yourself that the accusations against the mission are unfounded,” said part of the letter.
KwaSizabantu, which is also being accused of laundering more than 100 million rand, was founded by evangelist Erlo Stegen in 1970.
In a series of News24 reports, backed by accounts of victims, information emerged that some members of the church suffered physical, sexual and psychological abuse. The mission also faces allegations of fraud.
Several supermarkets, both nationally and in Pietermaritzburg, also purchase vegetables and fruits from the mission agribusiness.
According to information obtained from the mission website and its businesses, Ekhamanzi Springs and Emseni Farming employ more than 500 people. Businesses have funded charitable organizations ranging from Drakensberg to eThekwini.
Through the sponsorship of aQuellé, Midmar Mile supports various initiatives around Pietermaritzburg in the amount of R4 million annually.
While the allegations have caused retailers to cut ties with mission businesses, Midmar event organizer Wayne Riddin was still behind aQuellé late yesterday afternoon.
“I don’t subscribe to the idea of holding people guilty until their innocence is proven. If there are ever any allegations against aQuellé or the mission, let them be investigated.
“Only after the courts have ruled on the matter can people pass judgment. As things stand, I have not been provided with any evidence that could convince me to cut ties with aQuellé, ”she said.
While the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) has called for a speedy conclusion to the investigations into the mission and its businesses, saying it was concerned about the damage the allegations could cause to the reputations of its businesses and brands. local partners. and customers.
“While it is important for everyone to wait for the outcome of the investigations, unfortunately the reality is that allegations alone can do a lot of damage to a company’s brand,” said PMCB CEO Melanie Veness.
Mission hit by business boycott
Economic development MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said that while the department was doing everything possible to ensure the growth and development of businesses in KwaZulu-Natal, it was viewing the issue of human rights abuse in a serious light.
“We have noticed reports on various media platforms about what is happening in KwaSizabantu. At this stage, I wish to reiterate the department’s position that those who find themselves involved in any form of abuse of women and children should never find a place in our society, ”he said.
“I wish to applaud the ethical stance shown by some colleagues in the industry in stopping business relationships with organizations that are allegedly involved in the violation of the human rights of women and children,” he added.
Other KwaSizabantu clients, such as Pick n Pay and Checkers, said they were evaluating the risks of being associated with the mission’s businesses.
aQuellé has announced that the company has appointed an external panel to investigate the complaints contained in the News24 articles, which it considers vicious.
