Aurora directors’ application for leave to appeal denied – Solidarity

18 September 2015

The application of five former directors of the controversial Aurora Empowerment Systems for leave to appeal has been denied by the North Gauteng High Court today. Khulubuze Zuma, Zondwa Mandela, Thulani Ngubani, and Fazel and Solly Bhana applied for leave to appeal against an earlier judgment in terms of which they were held liable for damages to the value of R1,7 billion.

Some of the former directors have already indicated in their appeal application that neither they nor their families have the financial means to pay the money. If they prove to be unable to comply with the order jointly or severally, they could, therefore, soon be sequestrated.

“Justice has been done today for hundreds of Aurora employees and this ruling is an indication that others involved in this case will not be able to hide from the law,” Solidarity General Secretary Gideon du Plessis said. Du Plessis also expressed the hope that after today’s ruling, the Aurora directors would no longer attempt to delay the legal process and that they would begin to bear the consequences of their actions.

Aurora Empowerment Systems was the parent company appointed by the Pamodzi liquidators to manage the Pamodzi mines in Springs and Orkney some time ago. However, the directors of the company destroyed both mines through looting and mismanagement.

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary: Solidarity, September 18 2015