# ActionSA Writes to Human Rights Commission to Investigate Wesbank Overcharging Black Clients
ActionSA has made the decision to contact the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in response to shocking allegations made by a former employee regarding Wesbank’s practice of imposing higher interest rates on black clients when they purchase vehicles.
The SAHRC’s Legal Services Unit, under the authority of the Equality Act, has the power to take this matter to the Equality Court on behalf of the affected individuals. It is important to note that this does not imply Wesbank’s guilt based on a single accusation. Rather, the SAHRC is in a position to conduct a fair investigation into these claims.
Therefore, we will be reaching out to the SAHRC to address this issue promptly.
During our inaugural Policy Conference last year, a wide range of individuals within ActionSA supported policies aimed at restoring economic justice in South Africa. We firmly believe that economic justice is fundamental to achieving social justice and non-racialism in the country as well as fostering an inclusive society.
If proven to be true, Wesbank’s actions contradict these beliefs, and the underlying covert racism cannot be tolerated in a country with a history as problematic as ours. Non-racialism is a cornerstone of our Constitution and is consistently jeopardized as social cohesion deteriorates in South Africa. It is the responsibility of every business in South Africa to operate ethically and treat every citizen equally in the workplace.
ActionSA will continue to oversee progress in this matter and ensure that ordinary South Africans are not subjected to arbitrary discrimination, even 30 years into our democracy.
