Enver Motala removed from Panel of Liquidators: Solidarity calls for criminal investigation

Trade union Solidarity today commended Jeff Radebe, Minister of Justice, and the Master of the High Court's decision to remove Enver Motala from the Panel of Liquidators. The decision comes in the wake of a formal judicial investigation following Motala's dismissal as a liquidator of Pamodzi Gold earlier this year. Solidarity is now insisting that a criminal investigation against Motala be initiated as well.

According to Gideon du Plessis, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity, the trade union and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have, for the past 18 months, insisted that a formal judicial investigation be held into Motala's activities.

"Motala has, in the meantime, also been summonsed to testify before the Master of the North Gauteng High Court in the inquiry into Aurora in terms of sections 417 and 418 of the Companies Act," Du Plessis explained. "Motala's removal from the panel is hopefully just the first in a series of steps against him. It's high time that he answered for his share in the Aurora crisis," he added.

Solidarity exposed various irregularities in the initial appointment of Aurora as manager of the Pamodzi Gold mines, in which Motala was involved. Furthermore, the trade union has proof that Motala was aware of the looting of assets by Aurora and that he did nothing to improve Aurora employees' fate.

Meanwhile, Solidarity's liquidation application against Aurora will be heard in the North Gauteng High Court on 3 October.

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, Deputy General Secretary: Solidarity, September 8 2011

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