Black firms cry foul after time-out call on TV box orders
CZ Electronics, which is 93% black owned, and Leratadima, which is 100% black owned, have entered an arbitration process
Two large, black-owned set-top box manufacturers are headed to formal arbitration proceedings - and possibly to court - after the government agency responsible for procuring decoders for South Africa's digital TV migration project halted orders. CZ Electronics, which is 93% black owned, and Leratadima, which is 100% black owned, have entered an arbitration process with the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa to resolve the impasse. Neither company is prepared to comment, but Business Times understands from industry sources with knowledge of the situation that both companies have been left seething, accusing the government of abandoning its stated commitment to support black-owned electronics manufacturing businesses. Leratadima had had to cut hundreds of jobs because of Usaasa's decision, the sources said. The company is also believed to be sitting on millions of rands worth of components to make the boxes. According to the industry sources, the companies have been s...
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