Aurora planned to loot, not mine ‒ Solidarity deputy gives testimony

Aurora Empowerment Systems never intended to undertake mining activities at the former Pamodzi mines in Springs and Orkney, according to Gideon du Plessis, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity. Du Plessis testified against Aurora before the Master of the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria yesterday as part of an enquiry into Aurora in terms of section 417 and 418 of the Companies Act. According to the summons that was served on Du Plessis earlier this month, Solidarity is one of several witnesses who will give evidence in the enquiry into Aurora's mismanagement and destruction of the Pamodzi mining assets.

While giving evidence, Du Plessis, among other things, showed photographs of Aurora's plundering of the former Pamodzi mining assets. "It's high time that Aurora Empowerment Systems answered for the destruction of the Grootvlei and Orkney mining assets," according to Du Plessis. "The actions of the directors and the Bhana family, who managed the assets under Aurora, proved time and again that their intention with the transaction was not to undertake mining activities, but to plunder the assets," said Du Plessis.

In his presentation, Du Plessis referred to the Ndlovu shaft that was constructed barely four years ago. "The shaft, which cost R40 million to build, has been plundered to the extent that rebuilding it would cost R100 million," explained Du Plessis. "Aurora is also responsible for large-scale destruction in the Springs community. Aurora is not only responsible for the destruction of the infrastructure at the mining assets, but also the destruction of more than 5 300 jobs," said Du Plessis.

Du Plessis' examination was concluded late yesterday afternoon and more witnesses will testify against Aurora today and again on 2 and 3 August. "All of Aurora's directors and several members of the Bhana family were also summonsed to give testimony in August and September," according to Du Plessis.

Meanwhile, the investigative programme Carte Blanche has applied to film and broadcast the witnesses' testimonies. The application must still be heard and approved by the High Court.

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, Deputy General Secretary: Solidarity, July 19 2011

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