On Friday the 10th October 2014, the DTI gazetted for public comment the Amended B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice for the following statements:
The President signed the B-BBEE Amendment Act (the Act) 46 of 2013 into law on the 27 January 2014. The Proclamation Notice was signed on the 2nd October 2014 and it will be gazetted and go into effect on Friday 24 October 2014.
The target date for setting up the BEE Commission and B-BBEE Verification Regulator is 31 March 2015.
The Trumping Clause (Section 3) has been deferred for 12 months, and will come into force in October 2015
The B-BBEE Amendment Act is now real and in force we should remind ourselves of the increased risks that its provisions introduce.
FRONTING
Fronting is defined as a transaction, arrangement or other act or conduct that directly or indirectly undermines or frustrates the achievement of the objectives of this Act or the implementation of any of the provisions of this Act.
- A person commits an offence if they knowingly:
- Misrepresent or attempt to misrepresent the B-BBEE status of an enterprise.
- Provides false information or misrepresents information:-
- To a B-BBEE Verification Professional to secure a BEE status or any benefit from compliance with the Act.
- To a public entity or organ of state regarding a B-BBEE status.
- Engages in a fronting practice.
Penalties associated with Fronting are heavy:-
- A person: A fine &/or imprisonment of up to 10 years.
- Legal Entity: A fine of up to 10% of annual turnover.
- Directors and Shareholders may be imprisoned or fined
Government agencies may cancel contracts awarded on false B-BBEE information and offenders will be unable to do business with the Government for 10 years.
Attached please find the proclamation notice and the B-BBEE Amendment Act – gazette 38126.
Reminder to also give your input on the gazette 38076 (The Revised Codes- outstanding 4 statements) by the 14 November 2014 (send inputs to the DTI)- see attached-38076.
