Apartheid lawsuits lined up for major American companies

April 9, 1:40 PMManassas World News ExaminerAkili Amina

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Although the South African apartheid-era ended in the early nineties, it lasted over thirty years. This period has always been a horror the residents are even today, working to overcome. There has been many great strides towards this goal. But, recently their aim has been to seek help from the US, in the form of a lawsuit.

Even though there were several companies dismissed from the pending lawsuit. Some companies are still under fire. There are US conglomerates such as; IBM, Daimler, Ford, and General Motors that weren’t so lucky to be discharged . There are claims that these corporations actually sold products

that helped to enforce the apartheid regime, against the Cape Town residents.

All corporations have yet to respond publicly, regarding their pending plight. Although, one claims they were,

‘merely doing business’. This statement made by an IBM exec, didn’t sit too well with US District Judge Shira Scheindlin from New York. She has decided that an excuse like that, wont do.

There initial suit, included over 50 companies internationally. But, it was after the details of their case were looked over, they realized that they claim might be better off if they trimmed down the names on their list. Their revamped lawsuit is ‘ready to go’, ready to be heard in the American courts.

These plaintiffs also claim that not only the US government, but also the South African government actually were in support of these companies’ endeavors to get them discharged.

These lawsuits have been in the ‘works’ since the early 2000s. They are seeking restitution somewhere in the tens of billions from the US companies. These lawsuit proceedings, unlike those accused wont be quieted, anytime soon.