Pretoria - Former Aurora mine workers protested outside the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday, demanding payment.
Solidarity general-secretary Gideon du Plessis said the workers have been “frustrated for the past two years”.
“Aurora has been ducking and diving for the past two years. We hope that today we can commence with the court proceedings so that they can own up,” said Du Plessis.
“Billions of rands have gone missing. Outstanding money will have to be paid. We hope there will not be further delays from today.”
He said the court proceedings were scheduled to run until Friday.
The court case involves a R1.5 billion damages suit brought against the directors of the Aurora Empowerment Systems.
The directors are accused of stripping the assets of the liquidated Pamodzi Gold’s mines in Gauteng and in North West.
Du Plessis said the protesting workers want directors, including President Jacob Zuma’s nephew Khulubuse Zuma and Nelson Mandela’s grandson Zondwa Mandela, to be held accountable by the court.
Du Plessis said the “directors’ political connections” have been shielding them from accountability.
“There has been so many different court proceedings instituted against them,” he said.
“We foresee that even if we get a judgment this week, they will appeal the decision but it doesn’t matter. It is just a matter of time.”
The protesting workers gathered near the court entrance, along Madiba Street in Pretoria central.
Some of the placards read: “Aurora directors must own up”, “Justice for Pamodzi workers” and “We toiled”.
African News Agency