‘Aurora charges could speed up things’

130710 Aurora Boss Khulubuse Zuma at the press conference held in Melrose Arch.photo by Simphiwe Mbokazi 8

130710 Aurora Boss Khulubuse Zuma at the press conference held in Melrose Arch.photo by Simphiwe Mbokazi 8

Published Oct 3, 2011

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Criminal charges against Aurora Empowerment Systems directors could speed up the Pamodzi Gold liquidation process, trade union Uasa said on Monday.

“Uasa supports the possible laying of criminal charges,” spokesman Andre Venter said.

The joint provisional liquidators of Pamodzi Gold's assets claimed on Monday the directors were delaying the Master of the Court's inquiry into their management of Pamodzi.

The directors are Zondwa Mandela, grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, and President Jacob Zuma's nephew Khulubuse Zuma. Both were summoned to appear before the inquiry.

Aurora's commercial director Thulani Ngubani and consultants Yaseen Theba, Solly Bhana and Faizel Bhana were also summoned.

Venter said the union supported the joint provisional liquidators in their inquiry into the affairs of the Pamodzi group’s dealings with Aurora Empowerment Systems.

Uasa said the directors appeared to be employing stonewalling techniques to hinder the liquidation process.

“This was no different from their arrogant actions toward the employees of Aurora when they refused to pay them their due wages.”

Venter said it was time for the directors to be brought to task.

The Master of the Court has ordered an inquiry, in terms of sections 417 and 418 of the Companies Act, into the affairs of the Pamodzi Group. The inquiry includes the estate's dealings with Aurora, which was managing the Grootvlei and Orkney gold mines.

Aurora, which was singled out as the preferred bidder for Pamodzi's mines when they went into liquidation in 2009, had since had its management contract cancelled and vacated the premises. Aurora had been accused of destroying infrastructure at the mines and causing the loss of more than 5300 jobs.

Trade union Solidarity brought an application to have Aurora liquidated as part of its claim for R3.1 million in unpaid wages to workers at the two mines. - Sapa

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