A NEW Germany-based solar panel manufacturer that received R90m in funding from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in 2022 is under investigation following allegations of unethical or dishonest business conduct.

According to court records, ARTsolar received the IDC funding to install a modern manufacturing plant and machinery for the local production of photovoltaic solar panels. However, whistleblowers have alleged that the company misrepresented China-manufactured panels as locally produced in New Germany.

When former employees Kandace Singh and Shalendra Hansraj, along with local businessman Brett Latimer, made these and other allegations, ARTsolar responded by securing interim interdicts against them. The orders prohibited them from communicating the allegations to the IDC — the very body tasked with investigating ARTsolar. In a development that has raised concern within the media industry, the interdicts also barred them from speaking to the press, and Independent Media journalist Bongani Hans was prohibited from reporting on the claims.

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During an urgent Durban High Court application in April, the IDC argued that it should not have been included in the scope of the March interdict, noting that its investigation was initiated at the request of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), with a 90-day timeline. Acting Judge P Wallis found that the IDC has “a direct and substantial interest” in the matter given its statutory mandate and ordered the removal of IDC’s name from the scope of the original order.

The matter is due back in court on July 29, when the court is expected to decide whether or not to confirm the interim interdict as a final order.

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