Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development to demand that the Small Business Ombud selection process be restarted without further delay.
The ANC’s attempt to force through its preferred candidate was referred back to the committee on 5 June 2025 after the report was withdrawn from the House, following a selection process riddled with irregularities.
Since then, the Chairperson has failed to act or call the committee for a meeting. This inaction is a betrayal of millions of South African entrepreneurs who are being harassed, unpaid, and exploited—not only by big business, but too often by government itself.
Small businesses are closing their doors by the hundreds every year because the very systems meant to protect them are failing. The appointment of a fully independent, properly resourced Small Business Ombud is essential. This institution will provide a voice for entrepreneurs, hold both government and big business accountable, and empower small firms to defend their rights.
As the DA made clear in Parliament during the report debate, the first committee selection process “went against every principle of transparency, fairness, and accountability.”
The Ombud is not merely a dispute resolution office; it is a catalyst for job creation and inclusive economic growth. When small business owners are treated unfairly by government, landlords, suppliers, or corporations, and justice is denied, jobs are lost, families suffer, and our economy shrinks.
An effective ombud can unlock billions in stalled payments, reduce legal fees, and foster trust in business relationships. That is why the DA has fought for this office since the 5th Parliament. But instead of safeguarding fairness, the ANC manipulated the process.
South Africa cannot afford a compromised appointment. We demand an ombud with integrity, expertise, and independence, not a political ally of the ANC. The DA thus rejected the flawed process, and we call for it to be restarted immediately.
Small businesses are the engine of our economy. They create jobs, drive innovation, and lift millions out of poverty. That is why the DA’s Plan to Turbocharge the Economy calls for cutting red tape, exempting SMMEs from bargaining council agreements, and replacing failed ANC policies with real reforms. The establishment of a credible, independent ombud is central to this vision.
The Chairperson must act urgently. The process must be restarted. Entrepreneurs cannot afford more delays. The DA will fight to give them the Ombud they deserve: independent, honest, and fiercely committed to justice.
Regards
Henro Krüger MP
DA Spokesperson on Small Business Development