Auctioneers ‘not guilty of racism’
|Published
Durban - Kuphele Auctioneers, which was accused of racism and conducting a municipal auction in an unfair manner in April, has been found not guilty of any indiscretion by the eThekwini Municipality’s integrity and investigations unit.
The auctioneers were accused of not selling electricity transformers – valued at over R2.5 million – to the highest bidder at an auction in Durban and were said to have told “Indians and millionaires” they would be ignored during the auction.
“After a thorough investigation, based on the analysis of the evidence, the municipality can confirm that Kuphele Auctioneers were found to be not guilty of conducting the auction in an unfair manner,” said municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng.
One of the bidders, who laid a complaint with the city, was a Gauteng businessman who said that he had flown to Durban specifically to attend the auction, only to be ignored.
Kuphele auctioneer Sibusiso Sihlophe said that it had been “tough” facing the allegations over the last few months, but this had inspired the company to improve its business.
“All our live auctions… will be held online simultaneously to combat any allegations of bias. It is a first for us, and a first in the country,” said Sihlophe.
The municipality urges all residents to report cases of fraud, maladministration and corruption and human rights violations, relating to the municipality, to the city’s integrity and investigations unit on 0800 20 2020.
The Mercury