Mike Pouraryan
The Wheels of Justice Go On....
I was shocked to read that a case against major multinationals was allowed to go on for their role in supporting Apartheid. The roster reads like a who's who of the leading corporate luminaries: Citigroup, IBM, Daimler AG and whole bunch of others. What I find fascinating was that the Supreme Court actually could not take on the case because four of the nine justices had financial interests and could not hear the case. I will be watching this case with great interest. The question is whether companies must act ethically or not. Now that COSATU, the South African Trade Union Movement, has joined the lawsuit, it will become even more interesting.
The companies do want to have the case thrown out. I can certainly understand why. When the verdict comes down, there will certainly be appeals. But, companies have to really learn to balance their economic interest with the greater good. There is also an implied lesson for all who fail to act in the public interest: the long hand of justice will eventually catch up. The need to do the right thing is ever more. I wonder if all have learnt the lessons or not.
The companies do want to have the case thrown out. I can certainly understand why. When the verdict comes down, there will certainly be appeals. But, companies have to really learn to balance their economic interest with the greater good. There is also an implied lesson for all who fail to act in the public interest: the long hand of justice will eventually catch up. The need to do the right thing is ever more. I wonder if all have learnt the lessons or not.
