Two facts about the political airtime the African National Congress (ANC) is selling to business should not surprise us, Thick End of the Wedge (February 19).

The first is that Renier Schoeman, ex-National Party minister and now ANC national co-ordinator of corporate liaison, is in charge of the scheme. Different party, same game.

The second is that ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama denies doing any wrong. He must choose his story. Either the information sold is privileged, in which case the ANC is cheating the taxpayer, or the information is public, in which case he is cheating the buyer.

Or, of course, what is sold is not special information but special treatment, in which case the ANC is cheating the taxpayer and the consumer together.

Let businesses not rush to sign up. Those on board are signalling to the police and the South African Revenue Service that they have something to hide. Caveat emptor to the rest.