Housing in Southern Africa January 2015

A ccording to Nico Pienaar from Aspasa, “Whether corruption is experienced at the point of min- ingminerals, or toprocure business for the building of infrastructure or other large-scale projects, these dishonest business dealings put a strain on the country’s economy. Corruption also has the potential to derail any mean- ingful efforts to build sustainable and competitive industries in future.” As a result, Aspasa is advisingmem- bers to report incidents of corruption to Government oversight authorities directly, or to make contact with the association to decide the best course of action to deal with the problem. “Illegal mining is a major issue that we are dealing with and in in- stances where our members believe TheaggregateandSandProducers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa)hascalledonitsmembers to help eradicate corruption at all levels within the quarrying and construction industries. Cement & Concrete stop corrruption L eading construction materials group AfriSam has acquired an equity stake in specialist con- crete solutions company Concrete Laser Flooring (CLF), with an option to increase its shareholding over the next two years. The acquisition will extend Afri- Sam’s product and service offering beyond the supply of construction materials, and afford it an advantage to build closer relationships with its customers. “The acquisition fully aligns and supports AfriSam’s growth strategy to partner with well managed entrepre- neurial companies to achieve vertical integration advantages,” says Stephan Olivier, Chief Executive Officer of AfriSam. He added, “Our partnership en- ables both companies to leverage synergies and enhance value-delivery

market, and to prevent corruption. Recently, the association signed a pledge to the Department of Human Settlements to help stamp out cor- ruption in housing related industries. “We are committed to ending cor- ruption affecting our industry and appeal to any of our members who suspect dishonest dealings, to take decisive action. As an association we want to set the groundwork tomake it extremely difficult for anyone to be in- volved in corrupt dealings. That is why we need to join hands and become active members of the association and begin to act on behalf of every- one within our industry,” concluded Pienaar. For further information contact As- pasa on 011 791 3327, or email: nico@ aspasa.co.za ■

that corrupt dealings are preventing the course of justice from running its course we would like them to contact us so that we can ensure the authori- ties can investigate and take action if needed.” “Where corrupt procurement of sand and stone is suspected, we also recommend that our members take a stand and act against these people. Dishonest dealings such as these not only prevent legal, honest operators frommaking a living, but also encour- age bribery and counter-bribery in future,” said Pienaar. He added that Aspasa continues to work closely with the Department of Mineral Resources, the Chamber of Mines and othermining-related action groups to stop illegally obtained sand and aggregates fromentering into the

AfriSam acquires a stake in CLF

Stephan Olivier and Peter Norton

to our customers.” “CLF has gained a strategic alliance with a leading supplier of thematerials that form the foundation of our busi- ness. This is an exciting prospect for

CLF and I look forward to the potential benefits our company will derive from a partnershipwith AfriSam,” says Peter Norton, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CLF. ■

January 2015