The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources wants to see justice done in the matter of Aurora liquidation so that workers can receive their compensation.
“Although we appreciate the complexity of this matter, we welcome reports that the National Prosecuting Authority together with the Special Investigating Unit are considering to press charges against those who might be found to have violated the law. The Committee is of the firm view that this liquidation matter can only be concluded when justice has been served,” said Mr Sahlulele Luzipo, Committee chairperson.
The Committee yesterday received a report from Mr John Walker, an attorney representing the Provisional Liquidators, who explained the status of the liquidation and the progress made thus far. According to him, Aurora mine is insolvent and thereby unable to pay its creditors and the workers. As a result, the Chief Master of the High Court from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development placed the company under provisional liquidation in March 2009.
It is against this backdrop that the Committee wanted to understand the status of the liquidation in order to establish how it can assist to resolve the matter and also come up with preventative measures for the future. Meanwhile, the Committee applaud the work done by the Chief Master to shortlist a liquidators’ database and reiterates that a new list should be shared with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).
The Committee has undertaken to check with DMR if there is any process underway to tighten legislation that regulates the issuing of licences. “I want to believe that we will know at the end of this process if there is a need to review legislation to tighten some loopholes that could have been identified,” Mr Luzipo said.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Justice Molafo
Cell: 078 865 0135
Tel: 021 403 8444
E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
